Backdrop color

[sandrast]

What color backdrop would be best for a person with reddish brown hair? I tried black, but his hair and the black blended in. White is not good.

[RTMiller]

You might try using the black background but add a hair light or rim lighting from behind. That will create a little separation.

[chtgrubbs]

Medium to medium dark blue makes an excellent color for someone with dark red hair.

[sandrast]

I hate to be so dumb, but what is rim lighting?

Thanks

[RTMiller]

I hate to be so dumb, but what is rim lighting?
Rim lighting can light the subject from behind and to the side. Look at the example below. Notice on the left side of the picture how the light hits the hair, neck, and sweater.

http://rtmiller.smugmug.com/photos/58321448-M.jpg

[sandrast]

What kind of light would you use, and where would you put it?

[RTMiller]

What kind of light would you use, and where would you put it?
You have to use whatever light you can get your hands on. This was taken with three strobes; a hair light above and a bit behind the subject, a main light at about four o'clock, and a rim light at about 10 o'clock.

(For explanation purposes, the camera is at 6 o'clock and the background is at 12 o'clock... hope that makes sense).