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Category: New Answers

Photography Question 

BetterPhoto Member 		 

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.


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April 01, 2006

 

Mike Carpenter 		  I don't know what this video looks like, but if it's all white, it's probably white seamless paper or white muslin.


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April 01, 2006

 

Christopher A. Vedros 		  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.


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April 01, 2006

 

BetterPhoto Member 		 
 
 
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.


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April 02, 2006

 

Maverick Creatives 		 
 
 
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


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April 02, 2006

 

Maverick Creatives 		 
 
  sample of high key lighting
sample of high key lighting

Maverick Creatives

  
 
perhaps an example will help


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April 02, 2006

 
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