BetterPhoto Member |
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How to Get a White Background
I am just starting out and I would like to know how to get the shots with all-white backgrounds (like Tim McGraw's video "Live like you were dying"?). Please give me some tips.
April 02, 2006
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Mike Carpenter |
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I don't know what this video looks like, but if it's all white, it's probably white seamless paper or white muslin.
April 01, 2006
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Christopher A. Vedros |
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I'm not familiar with the video either, but in addition to getting either a white muslin or seamless paper background, you're also going to need to light it. In order to get the background to look white in your pictures, you need to get more light on your background than you have on your subject.
April 01, 2006
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BetterPhoto Member |
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That video was made by overexposing Mr. McGraw in a white shirt against a white background. This was a very powerful effect for the video, but usually doesn't work for most circumstances. In most cases in photography, you want to show some detail. Facial detail is usually utmost for portrait work. It's rare to find an overexposed portrait that works, unless done in black and white. Have fun and keep shooting,
Mark H.
April 02, 2006
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Maverick Creatives |
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A high-key portrait setup would involve the use of a white or off white background and brighter clothing. A high key portrait can be challenging as it requires a great deal of light control and has the most risk of overexposure and loss of detail. In general they would have a low lighting ratio near 2:1. A common background for high-key portraits is paper or muslin which is slightly overexposed resulting in a pure white seamless background and a feeling of cleanliness. Great care is usually taken to separate the subject from the background to eliminate shadows. These portraits also tend to require more light and thus more power and lighting equipment to create. Hope this helps you.
Sincerely
Gary
April 02, 2006
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Maverick Creatives |
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sample of high key lighting
Maverick Creatives
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perhaps an example will help
April 02, 2006
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Steve Mescha |
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Hi Katrina, I'm glad you posted this question because I also like the high key look and was interested to see the responses. However, you may also be able to digitally enhance photos to get the effect you want. Try using the levels adjustment in Photoshop if you have that program. Use the white eye dropper and click the background where you want it to be all white. This will probably also blow out some of the subject but you may be able to get it back using the history brush. Good luck :-)
April 04, 2006
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Kathy C. Tugwell |
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Katrina,
I have taken quite a few portraits with a white muslin background. We had a lot of problems at first with it turning pink or gray. What we have learned is to light all most every inch of the background.Then you need to do a preset on your white balance with a white card. It should work for you.
Good luck
April 04, 2006
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