Hair light, Backdrop light & Backdrops

12/13/2007 01:06:31 PM · #1

Hey studio portrait experts - I have some questions.

What do you prefer - shooting portraits with a hair highlight or a backdrop light (or both)? I don't have either and I need to purchase a new light for my setup because when I shoot people with dark hair they get lost in the dark backdrops. What should I get? I'll probably buy another PocketWizard for triggering but I need to purchase (and more importantly - learn how to use) a light that will serve for one or both of these.

I also need a new backdrop. What is your favorite place to purchase those? I'm thinking a standard gray and/or black. I have some pro studio shots coming up in January that I'll be doing and need these for.

Thanks in advance!

fotomann_forever

12/13/2007 01:57:57 PM · #2

Obviously you'll need a strobe. It doesn't need to be overly powerful for a hair light. You'll need a boom stand and a snoot for a hair light.

For background light, you need something with some kick or two strobes (especially for full body). You'll also need barn door or flags to keep from spilling light on your subject.

As far as separating hair from the background, the hair light is your best bet. Although you have to be careful of spill and flare. If you have a model that moves around a lot, hair lights can be tricky.

BTW, I've figured out how to add hair lights (rim lights) in post process using a curves adjustment layer and layer masks. I'll be writing a tutorial on it soon.

I like to keep my light setups simple, preferring to work with 1 or two lights and perhaps a reflector. So, my suggestion would be to just have a few choices of backgrounds.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/13/2007 05:11:07 PM · #3

Thanks for the reply!

Yes I knew I'd get a strobe. I have two Photogenic 320w's right now which I never use their full power. Any suggestions on an all-in-one kit with the stand and barn doors and such? I've been searching B&H and nothing has jumped out.

I might also have to think about a stand with a reflector in my new purchase.

Good point - I never thought about the model moving around. Because of that it sounds like a backdrop light would be better in that respect.

I look forward to your tutorial!

One last question - I've seen some pictures where I think the backdrop is solid but there appears to be a texture in the lighting on it. I think this is done with some sort of honeycomb grid on the backdrop light - is that right?

Thanks!

fotomann_forever

12/13/2007 05:56:47 PM · #4

Originally posted by Kaups:

One last question - I've seen some pictures where I think the backdrop is solid but there appears to be a texture in the lighting on it. I think this is done with some sort of honeycomb grid on the backdrop light - is that right?

Thanks!

Take some aluminum foil, poke/rip random holes in it, place over strobe, point at the backdrop and you have that texture.

A honeycomb grid makes the light directional.

Message edited by author 2007-12-13 18:51:22.

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

12/13/2007 06:20:56 PM · #5

Another way that I have been playing around with is to cutout some patterns in cardboard (like star, tree shapes e.t.c.) and put that between the backdrop & flash that is lighting the backdrop. I usually put a coloured gel over the strobe as well. You can get some nice abstract patterns roughly like the shapes in the cardboard.

Edit: Cause I cannot spell for cr*p and my typing is worse :-/

Message edited by author 2007-12-13 18:21:36.

12/14/2007 07:55:12 AM · #6

Thanks guys.

Any suggestions on a kit I can buy?

Kaveran

12/14/2007 08:49:17 AM · #7

Originally posted by Kaups:

Thanks guys.

Any suggestions on a kit I can buy?

Whats your budget?

12/14/2007 09:49:09 AM · #8

Originally posted by Kaveran:

Originally posted by Kaups:
Thanks guys.

Any suggestions on a kit I can buy?

Whats your budget?

Looking for a single strobe with boom/stand and barndoors or other light restricting apparatus for hair and backdrop lighting. Something midrange but budget is open. I don't buy cheap stuff. A couple hundred?

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

12/14/2007 10:46:25 AM · #9

Just weighing in on the original question: If I can only have one, I prefer the hair light - unless I'm doing high-key then you must have a background light.

Prof_Fate

12/14/2007 10:50:39 AM · #10

There are as many ways to light a portrait as there are photographers.

For location shots where it's more flat, yearbook headshot type of lighting I use 2 lights w/ umbrellas. Main is to the side and shootthru, fill in behind me and shot into the silver reflective side of the 'brella.
This is what most folks expect to get and no one has complained and I've sold a good many of them too. BG is a muslin, shot about F5.6 and 75-135mm range, trying to keep the muslin OOF just a bit. No hair light is needed.

Works with couples too

And eye glasses

Prof_Fate

12/14/2007 10:59:32 AM · #11

Now in my studio when working with seniors I do it differently.

This is 2 3x4 softboxes camera left, a 3x4 silver reflector camera right and a stobe as a hair light camera right, up high in the BG with a 20 degree grid. I tried barndoors but have found grids to work much better. You have to set the hairlight to the same as main or a bit less. It must be set to the same reading as your main light or a little less. It's easy to get it too bright.

This image is not perfect..teh softbox created a second catchlight in her right eye and the hair light is a tad hot...not sure if I like the way it hits her face and nose. Just be aware it can.

If you have the space a 2x2 softbox almost directly above the subject works well, but you need a lot of ceiling height for that.

By using softboxes you can control the light spill onto the BG and even remove the light from the BG, making it black. Or use anohter light wiht a gel and make it whatever color you want it to be.

No hair light - a sofbox, reflector and a gel on the muslin BG.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

12/14/2007 11:24:27 AM · #12

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Message edited by author 2007-12-14 12:03:56.