Help with backgound???

[Shahid]

The background was white but in the pics the background looks grey. I thought I used enough lighting. Here are the details:

1 XL softbox to right of model - metered at F11
1 L Octabox to left of model - metered at F11
Camera Settings: 1/125 @ f11


The lights were about 5 feet from the model. The model was about 2-3 ft from the background.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I know I can fix this in PP, but I would like to do as liitle manipulation as possible on the photos.

Thanks.

[hawk911]

most white BG images work best with 3 lights. 2 is pushing it unless you want your subject blown out.

[YankeeMom]

I've read that you need one light BEHIND the model, shining at the background to maintain the white.

[Shahid]

I've read that you need one light BEHIND the model, shining at the background to maintain the white.


I thought about that after I saw the pics. I will have to try that next time. I do have a third light, but it was setup at another location at the site that I shot at.

The model pics came out fine, but the background came out grey. I guess I have a lot of work ahead of me with regards to PP.

[tfiorda]

You need a background light or lights. I usually use two lights when I want the bg to maintain white all the say across and up and down. You will get light falloff with two and you can see this in the images. Using four bg lights, one in each quadrant set to 1.5 stop brighter than your main exposure, will ensure a white bg across the board.

You can also get white easily in Lightroom by using the brush set for exposure and increase it by 1-2 stop and painting the bg. That's how I get around some of the falloff of using only two lights.

If you only use one bg light, point it at the spot on the bg that is about the middle of the shoulders of your subject. That way the falloff looks more artistic.

Hope this helps,

Tony...

[Shahid]

You need a background light or lights. I usually use two lights when I want the bg to maintain white all the say across and up and down. You will get light falloff with two and you can see this in the images. Using four bg lights, one in each quadrant set to 1.5 stop brighter than your main exposure, will ensure a white bg across the board.

You can also get white easily in Lightroom by using the brush set for exposure and increase it by 1-2 stop and painting the bg. That's how I get around some of the falloff of using only two lights.

If you only use one bg light, point it at the spot on the bg that is about the middle of the shoulders of your subject. That way the falloff looks more artistic.

Hope this helps,

Tony...


Thanks for the info Tony. I will also try playing around in LR as well.

[Johnsoir]

For pure white, you need 2 and 1/3 stops over your main exposure (i.e. your model's exposure). In most cases, your going to need some other light, other than the ones on your subject to achieve this.

[hawk911]

for a simpler 2 lights on the BG setup, you can pull the lights back further and block the stray light by using some large gobos.. bi-fold closet doors for instance. Then you are lighting the BG with 2 lights, and can use a single light on the subject and a reflector for fill.

[Shahid]

for a simpler 2 lights on the BG setup, you can pull the lights back further and block the stray light by using some large gobos.. bi-fold closet doors for instance. Then you are lighting the BG with 2 lights, and can use a single light on the subject and a reflector for fill.

I do have a third light that I can use for the BG. I'm going to be picking up a boom setup this weekend as well.

[hawk911]

I'd put 2 on the BG then, and a single light on the subject. Then use a simple white foamcore board to reflect some fill...

[Shahid]

I'd put 2 on the BG then, and a single light on the subject. Then use a simple white foamcore board to reflect some fill...

Instead of using foamcore, would a 5-in-1 reflector be better? Also, with the lights on the BG, just use a standard reflector with them?

[DisrupTer911]

I like to use bounce umbrella setups to light the background if I have space.

And foamcore is a few bucks vs $30+ for a collasping reflector.

[hawk911]

well, the foam core can end up bigger than a reflector depending on what you buy. I have a 48x60 oval 5-in-1, but not everyone carries those stock. Most of the time, it's a 42" round. YMMV, but either would work. As Disrupter points out, cost of the foamcore is relatively cheap at any multi-purpose store or art supply house. You could use a tri-fold project board, too.

[ccc_javier]

looks like is easier and cheaper to PP them.... :)

[Shahid]

well, the foam core can end up bigger than a reflector depending on what you buy. I have a 48x60 oval 5-in-1, but not everyone carries those stock. Most of the time, it's a 42" round. YMMV, but either would work. As Disrupter points out, cost of the foamcore is relatively cheap at any multi-purpose store or art supply house. You could use a tri-fold project board, too.


I actually already have a 5-in-1 reflector (42") that I can use. I will have to try that

[Mark_Cohran]

Your background needs to be exposed at 2 stops more than the subject in order to render as white.

[Shahid]

Your background needs to be exposed at 2 stops more than the subject in order to render as white.


I will try that on my next shoot in a couple of weeks. Thank you.

[hawk911]

I actually already have a 5-in-1 reflector (42") that I can use. I will have to try that

try the white side, or the gold. The gold warms the skin tones a bit, and the white is nice and soft. The silver is very reflective and could be too much. Play with it though.

[Shahid]

try the white side, or the gold. The gold warms the skin tones a bit, and the white is nice and soft. The silver is very reflective and could be too much. Play with it though.

I will try that out. Thank you for all the help.

[eleganteye]

It would help to see your shot. Can you post the photo or a link, or did I miss something?

yes, you need to light the background. If the paper is white, and evenly lit, it doesn't need to be overexposed to come out white -- just properly exposed and it will come out it's correct value. A little overexposure is OK if your lighting isn't even but you're going to get bounce and flare if you overdo it.

[hawk911]

Aaron, there was no shot. The conversation was more hypothetical.. how would I kinda thing.