White Paper Background - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

05/30/2008 08:28:58 AM · #1

If I'm doing portraits against a white paper background and my goal is for the background to be bright white, do I HAVE to light the background separately?

Also, how do you transport these damn things? The tube is sooooo long and I need to take it to a location shoot. Any tips on that as well?

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

05/30/2008 08:32:59 AM · #2

As long as you are asking about htis stuff, where do I buy such background paper?

I may be trying my hand at some product photography where I work, instead of paying an outside pro for a day. I don't have the equipment he does, but I can improvise and possibly save a my company a few bucks if I can do a decent job of it.

Message edited by author 2008-05-30 08:33:32.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

05/30/2008 08:43:10 AM · #3

Kevin, I don't like to take paper on location, but if you must you must....

Yes, you'll need to light it seperately to get PURE white. Two lights are best so its lighted evenly and you don't get dray on one side or the other. For high key, I light the bg about 2 stops brighter than the subject.

Yos, you can order the paper backdrops from MANY locations, but do keep in mind you'll be charged "oversized" shipping. If there is a camera shop near you, you'd probably save a few bucks to just pick it up yourself.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

05/30/2008 08:50:09 AM · #4

Originally posted by idnic:

Thanks...I have a problem though; I only have three flashes.

I have two old hotlights I could point at the BG but I don't think the white balance is the same on those as the flashes--would that be a problem?

Or should I just shoot the shots and blow the bg out in photoshop?

Message edited by author 2008-05-30 08:50:38.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

05/30/2008 08:52:25 AM · #5

Use two flashes on the background, then for the model, use one flash and a reflector. :)

Don't count on fixing white in PS, its much better if you can capture it clean. Things get wonky around edges of the model if you mess with bg too much.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

05/30/2008 09:04:49 AM · #6

Originally posted by idnic:

Will this setup work if I have to shoot a small group shot as well? I don't think one light and a reflector will cover two to three people adequately?

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

05/30/2008 09:06:53 AM · #7

Originally posted by KevinG:

Originally posted by idnic:
Use two flashes on the background, then for the model, use one flash and a reflector. :)

Don't count on fixing white in PS, its much better if you can capture it clean. Things get wonky around edges of the model if you mess with bg too much.

Will this setup work if I have to shoot a small group shot as well? I don't think one light and a reflector will cover two to three people adequately?

Two, maybe.. 3 probably not. In that case, I'd use the 2 hotlights for the background and all 3 flashes for the people. Shoot RAW and correct wb after.