Using White Background For Portrait Photography

One of the most well liked backgrounds for studio photography is a solid white background. One of the hardest aspects to employing a white background is when the topic is also dressed in white or is holding a white product. As the shutter-bug you've got to separate the white subject from the white background and not tell them they cant wear their choice of clothing. Many photographers appear to never get the separation correct and if you look at adverts in many magazines youwill see an absence of detail where the white color blends.

What you may need :

Some say you've got to have plenty of space so that there isn't any reflection from the background to the subject. Fine if you have the room but depending on your camera settings youstill may have issues even with 15 feet of space between the white background and subject. This reflection is often referred to as spill, wrap or panache depending on where it comes from. Regardless of what you call it photographers need to avoid it unless you're going for a strange look.

What I do is light the white seamless paper from behind my subject. I try and permit about 8 feet so I have room for my lights. I use from 3 to four lights. When using four lights two are on each side. When using three I have one on each side and one behind the model hidden from sight. I have used soft boxes and umbrellas with equal results. If using an umbrella be sure to have the black liner attached to prevent spill. A black poster may also be used if you're feeling more light blockage is required.

Employing a light meter placed in front of the model slightly below her jaw take a reading. Point the meter toward the camera and fire all the strobes. If the reading is F11 and you are satisfied with that setting then move the light meter to behind the model facing the background. Take a reading of the flash and it should be one stop under. No more and no less. You can move the model closer or further away for easy adjustment or adjust every one of the background lights. At one stop or F8 in this sample you would have total separation of the white background and the white clothing worn by the model being photographed. Whatever setting you need for your subject just make sure the background reading is one under.

A good shutter-bug should be able to picture any color of clothing with any background or light conditions. If you book a photo shoot and your photographer tells you not to wear white as it is hard to photograph I recommend that you look for a new cameraman. All that statement shows is a dearth of knowledge about photography lighting.

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