How to Shoot like Magzine Cover - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Canon

04/15/2004 10:26:37 AM · #1

Hi
My work requires to shoot garments on mannequien, which means background has to be totally be without any shadow. Totally spotless.

Example would be Cosmopolitan, any other fashion , galmaor magzine that has model shot in studio. What i notice is that , there is no visible shadow, uniform color of background , i.e no part of BG is brighter than other part ( In portraits you see this trend that BG just behind subject is lighter than BG which is away from Subject).

My Point is that this uniform effect is not because of lighting only but more due to retouching.

any ways I have two strobes, what does any one suggest how i go about it

garlic

Canon EOS-10D

04/15/2004 10:30:39 AM · #2

Two strobes and backlight and .............
I donÂ´t have an idea. Use PS.

04/15/2004 10:33:57 AM · #3

don't have an extralight, only two lights

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

04/15/2004 11:06:05 AM · #4

anyone

willem

Sony Alpha a6700

04/15/2004 11:22:03 AM · #5

If you are asking how to get a white background without any details :
the trick is to ensure there is sufficient light on it in relation to your subject, so you overexpose the background while keeping your subject properly exposed.

Have a look at my selfportrait here

Not totally white but getting close. This was achieved with one 500 W halogen light on a white background wall. Should have been a bit more since the main light was also a 500 W light, although reflected in an umbrella.

So ensure the lighting ratio, the balance, is right so you get an overexposed background.

04/15/2004 11:33:50 AM · #6

I use studio strobe and not tungsten lighting , you really understood my need but issue is that i shoot subject is like this and you see Sample 1
Sample 2
I have shoot with lot background visisble

04/15/2004 12:03:09 PM · #7

anyone , help

Prof_Fate

04/15/2004 12:05:18 PM · #8

sample 2 is not too bad - a bit more light perhaps, but the background is all black.

sample 1 needs more light too, but the background is too short (i see beyond it in the upper left) and the fabric on the floor...what is that about?

anyway, you can get a remote operated flash (goes off when it sees another flash unit go off) for under $20 at ritz camera etc. (Quantaray - MS-1 Wireless Flash Booster / Slave
$19.95
Catalog # 531660769 )

This could be pointed at the backdrop to assure it's overexposure.

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

04/15/2004 09:46:53 PM · #9

these were test snaps so shot did not shoot with fabric on floor.

Well sample two had black BG but it has be retouched using PS for this uniform black color

willem

Sony Alpha a6700

04/16/2004 05:48:19 AM · #10

Originally posted by General:

I use studio strobe and not tungsten lighting , you really understood my need but issue is that i shoot subject is like this and you see Sample 1
Sample 2
I have shoot with lot background visisble

The principle remains the same whether you use tungsten or strobe. It is all about lighting ratio between subject and background.

With the samples that you provide I would suggest :

1) to get more distance between background and subject
2) to get a seamless transition between floor and wall behind
3) get lots of light on the background, either by using light from both sides, or by placing a light directly behind your subject, but out of direct view of the camera.

If you only have two strobes, and you need it for the subject, that you are probably stuck. You need more control so you can influence the lighting ratio between background and subject better. You could try with one strong strobe on the background and a weaker one on the subject, but then your subject might not come out as you like.

If you place a light behind the subject, pointed at the background, and at least get a white area around the subject, like a halo, but not the whole background, then that would be sufficient. Then you can easily select the subject from the background and paint the rest of the background white as well using editing.

willem

Sony Alpha a6700

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

04/16/2004 06:05:11 AM · #11

Alternative :

Why not buy a few halogen worklights from the do-it-yourself store. They are cheap, come with stands and are easy to use.

The only disadvantage is the heat production, but considering your subjects that should be no problem.

04/16/2004 06:27:13 AM · #12

I read some where that distance between BG and Subjects should be same as the height of the subject, is it true

BTW
Thanks for tips , i can always use them in future when i plan to buy more lights

wyoduckhunter

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

04/16/2004 06:43:02 AM · #13

I would move away from the background and then go to as open of an f-stop as you can to remove detail from the background. It could get tricky, but with only 2 strobes, I would the key light to the side, with an (white translusent) umbrella between the strobe and the subject, but aim the stobe to fire past the umbrella with only a portion of the umbrella exposed in front of the strobe, probably only 20% of the umbrella in the light. I would make sure that the shadow of the umbrella is off to the other side of the shot so you wouldn't have that line on the backdrop, this would give you a smaller amount of indirect light on the subject while over exposing the background ( set the exposure on the subject) and then back the fill light away or turn it down if it is adjustable. I would try to set the strobe at about a 40 degree angle to the subject, about 6-8 ft away, and shoot it behind the subject, then put the umbrella to catch some of the light.

04/16/2004 07:14:55 AM · #14

Originally posted by wyoduckhunter:

but aim the stobe to fire past the umbrella with only a portion of the umbrella exposed in front of the strobe, probably only 20% of the umbrella in the light.

Hi I did not under this part

wyoduckhunter

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

04/17/2004 03:03:35 AM · #15

On my strobes, the strobe base is able to move independantly from the umbrella clamp. So, I would aim the strobe at the backdrop, and then move the umbrella to shoot through it at the subject. This would give you about 2 stops down from the background light, and still allow you to light them sparately with the same source. Basically, just cast a shadow of the umbrella on the subject and the main light on the background. Would be almost like having 3 lights. Just keep the umbrella off to the side, not centered so it catches the light for your subject and puts the rest behind it.