Why is white so hard?! CC please :)

[melissaandkris]

I wanted some shots of my nephews for their 18 months and 4 year pics. I got some decent ones but I have a lot of trouble with white backgrounds. Either I get them way to hot or the bg comes out yellow not white. These were shot with a point & shoot with a bounced 430EX and one light with umbrella. I think I need more lights. Any CC would be great!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4396305028_9eb7a513f7.jpg

2
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4396306852_b9f7b5713e.jpg

3

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4396307280_cecceeac6e.jpg

4
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4396306424_d78c6a3f96.jpg

5

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4395527659_e48e1dc145.jpg
6 loved his expression in this one...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4395528301_0fc345475c.jpg

7

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4396304502_9d177bb846.jpg
8 and the rare shot of them together...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2779/4396307836_8381da93b5.jpg

[gonzogolf]

what was the one light in the umbrella?

[melissaandkris]

what was the one light in the umbrella?

yes

[Bob_A]

yes

lol ... No, WHAT TYPE of light are you using with your umbrella?

Also, how bright is the ambient lighting in the room?

[melissaandkris]

ooo...sorry dumb moment there! It's just a cheap 120v light bulb and stand I got off ebay. There is a glass door and a small window in the room but not a lot of ambient light.

[gonzogolf]

ooo...sorry dumb moment there! It's just a cheap 120v light bulb and stand I got off ebay.

Incandescent bulbs are yellow when compared to your flash, thats why you are getting yellow tinges. Dont mix types of light if you can avoid it.

[melissaandkris]

That makes sense. Is there any specific bulb you would recommend that would work with my flash?

[gonzogolf]

That makes sense. Is there any specific bulb you would recommend that would work with my flash?
yes, another flash. is your point and shoot capable of adjusting white balance? if so there might be other options.

[melissaandkris]

Yes, it can be adjusted. I think I had it on auto for these shots. The camera is a Canon S5.

[gonzogolf]

Yes, it can be adjusted. I think I had it on auto for these shots. The camera is a Canon S5.

You can get gels, that you would put over your flash to make it the same color as an incandescent bulb. Then you would select the white balance for tungsten lighting. You can usually get swatch books from rosco, the gel company from theatrical supply warehouses or b&h photo that are the right size for a canon flash. You would probably want to use a cto (color temp orange) gel on the flash.

[melissaandkris]

I have one of the little sample books of gels, I didn't even think of using one of them, I think they are the perfect size to go on the flash. Thanks. I will have to try that next time :)

[gonzogolf]

Keep in mind you need some method of mounting that to the flash so that it doesnt contact the face. The flash gets hot enough to melt the gel to the face if you mount in contact

[melissaandkris]

Ok, thanks for the tip! I will try to figure something out!

[Bob_A]

I have one of the little sample books of gels, I didn't even think of using one of them, I think they are the perfect size to go on the flash. Thanks. I will have to try that next time :)

Try the tungsten gel over your flash and set the camera WB to Tungsten.

[Point-n-shoot-n]

It is hard to get a true white BG without having a light directly on it. Set your BG light 1-2 stops brighter than your key light and things will liven up to where you want to be. BTW...these shots are not bad at all!

[bobbyz]

What I would do is:

1. Use seemless paper right behind the subject
2. Only use your flash as a main light. Make it come from top of camera with reflector underneath for some fill if you need it. Kind od boring but works for kids as their skin is good.

Example shot, here he is lying but you get the idea. I only used one light in a medium softbox.

http://www.bobbyzphotography.com/img/v5/p367862688-5.jpg

Background is a wallmart blanket on his crib mattress.

[bobbyz]

Another trick you can do is use foam core V-flats and position them like

___ ___
| _ |
| |

Edited:- I don't know how to enter more than 1 space. So picture doesn't make sense. There is one V -flat on left, one on right, with their sides joining in the back to make the background. You can conver the stop with foam core also. Position the subject in the center. Now use one flash. Everything being white will make light bounce around and make it nice.

Here is an example shot in our little powder room. Only one flash, on camera but bounced.

http://www.bobbyzphotography.com/img/v8/p235721146-4.jpg

Here the wall colors was beige color but if white colored, it would have worked.

[melissaandkris]

Thanks for all the help! Any one have any cc on the photo's besides the off white bg?

[Pixerfun]

I was thinking about you the other day and missing your posts! These are very good in my humble opinion. I also enjoyed reading the suggestions others with experience in white on white have shared. The boys are growing up so fast!

[melissaandkris]

I was thinking about you the other day and missing your posts! These are very good in my humble opinion. I also enjoyed reading the suggestions others with experience in white on white have shared. The boys are growing up so fast!

Awww...thanks Ann! We have all had a yucky stomach virus and colds one right after the next so not many pictures around here lately:(