Need help shooting w/ white muslin & strobes

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

04/30/2006 01:39:43 AM · #1

I just did some test portraits, trying to blow out the white muslin background. Right out of the camera, the images are pretty low contrast. It was an easy fix in Photoshop, but is there a technique to better the image right out of the camera?

Image right out of the camera (w/crop):

Image after RAW adjustments:

I found if I metered with the background light off, it blew out my subject when I turned it on. So, I metered with the background light on and was able to obtain decent exposure. Not sure if that is right or not. This is my first go using my white muslin with strobes. (AB 800's) Any tips are appreciated :)

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

04/30/2006 02:14:51 AM · #2

You need to meter your back ground independant of the subject, it needs to be at least one stop above that of the subject. ie background F11 subject F8 for eg.

I believe in getting it right in camera much easier that way

04/30/2006 02:21:01 AM · #3

Shooting in RAW or Jpeg? What adjustments are you making in PS to get the PP image?

04/30/2006 02:31:00 AM · #4

Originally posted by kiwinick:

Thanks......I just maxed out the background light..LOL The background was on full power and the main was at 1/8th power. A little overkill? LOL

04/30/2006 02:34:11 AM · #5

I think you are using too much light on the background. His ear shouldn't be that transparent. turn your b/g light down some.

04/30/2006 02:34:15 AM · #6

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Shooting in RAW or Jpeg? What adjustments are you making in PS to get the PP image?

Shot RAW......adjustments made to shadows, brightness and contrast in the raw editor.

04/30/2006 02:35:26 AM · #7

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

I think you are using too much light on the background. His ear shouldn't be that transparent. turn your b/g light down some.

I didn't like that either. I will for sure tune it down and meter both subject and background next time.

I meter them independently, correct?

04/30/2006 02:36:53 AM · #8

Originally posted by JRalston:

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Shooting in RAW or Jpeg? What adjustments are you making in PS to get the PP image?

Shot RAW......adjustments made to shadows, brightness and contrast in the raw editor.

That's about right. The first image seemed a bit flat, but that's the nature of RAW from the camera. Like I just posted, the only BIG flaw is that the b/g light is a bit too strong.

04/30/2006 02:39:45 AM · #9

Originally posted by JRalston:

I meter them independently, correct?

Yes. Like kiwinick said, you want the b/g to be about 1 stop, maybe 2 over the subject.