BetterPhoto Q&A
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BetterPhoto Member		Lighting I am an amateur photographer who wants to add a studio to my home. up until now I have done almost everything with natural light and my clients have been happy. I know I have a lot to learn but I want to know the tricks of the trade to get crisp images on a black background and the bright white background and brightly lit subjects (two basic tricks I can pull out of my hat if all else fails and a staple for some). Please tell me how to position my lighting and what type with black backgrounds to avoid hitting my background with any light and capturing that "twinkle" in the subjects eye and the geting the nice crisp definition around the subject. I'm sure some is helped with photoshop, but certainly the light itself is original and lends to the "pop" of the picture. Same with the shite background. How do I get my white backdrop to actually appear white and my subjects appear crisp as well. Any and all information and details are appreciated. Sorry to sound like such a novice but I have read several books and they all say different things so now I am going for good ol' practical advice. Also do I need to keep my studio as dark as possible? It will be in my basement where there is some natural light coming in right now. Again, any help on lighting, positioning of lighting/subjects, backdrop colors/materials, etc. is much appreciated! thanks so much, I can't wait to hear back!!! To love this question, log in above May 27, 2008

W.		Hi Dawn, So you already have some experience in working for clients and now want to start the next chapter: your own studio. That's great. I'm sure BP members will have all kinds of advice for you. But to make sure the advice you'll get is as relevant as possible it will be useful to know about the gear you already have and the gear you plan on getting. Can you tell us about that? And can you also tell us something about the space that is going to be your studio? Like about the dimensions (include height!), and the ventilation. A diagram might be helpful. And since you seem focused on portrait and people photography I'm guessing you have already thought of some set ups you'd like to try. Why don't you lay those out on the studio lighting layout grid, snap a screenshot and post it here? Because a picture... that's correct: paints 1,000 words, of course. The resulting suggestions may be that much more useful to you. Have fun! Studio lighting layout: http://www.sdgphoto.com/lightingstudio/ To love this comment, log in above May 28, 2008

Debby A. Tabb		Dawn, first off there are so many ways to set up lighting for different effects. Email me and I will return the email with my personal contact and walk you through some of it if you'd like. There is a very long thread called the "Studio Photography Thread" that has help many start thier studios,you will see several start: from buying lights,posing & getting expression to doing the business of running a studio business and making templets and other offerings. here is part #1 of 23: PART1: http://www.betterphoto.com/forms/QnAdetail.php?threadID=17534 Just folow the links,to each one. to get that black background do not use your backlight on your background. for more shadows turn off your fill as well.Using only the main. The bright white is of course flooding the white background with light, but lets try one at a time. I hope this helps, Debby To love this comment, log in above May 28, 2008

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