Lighting White Backgrounds For Studio Portrait Photography

One of the most well liked backdrops for studio  portrait photography is a solid bright white or light color background .  The absolute  hardest aspects to employing a bright background is when the subject is also dressed in white or is holding a white product, such as platinum wedding bands.  As the photographer you have to separate the white subject from the white background and not tell them they cant wear their choice of clothing.  Many photographers seem to have problems getting the separation correct and if you look at advertisements in several magazines you’ll see a lack of detail where the white color wash together . 

Many Say you have to have a lot of distance so that there is no reflection from the background to the subject.  Fine if you’ve got the room but depending on your camera settings you could have Problems even with 15 feet of space between the white background and subject.  This reflection is often referred to as spill, wrap or flair depending on where it comes from.  No matter what you call it photographers want to avoid it unless you’re going for a surprising look. What I do is light the white seamless or paper from behind my subject. I try and permit about 7-9  feet so I have room for my lights.  I use from 3 to 5 lights.  When using 4 lights two are on each side and if required the fifth in the middle hidden from the camera. This is useful for extra wide backgrounds.  When using three I have one on each side and one behind the model concealed from sight. I’ve used soft boxes and umbrellas with same results. If using an umbrella be sure to have the black liner attached to stop spill. A black poster may also be used if you are feeling more light blockage is needed. 

Employing a light meter placed in front of the model just under her chin take a reading.  Point the meter toward the camera and fire all of 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 as one is all that is required for detail seperation.  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 require for your subject simply make sure the background reading is one under. 

A good shutter-bug should be able to image any colour of clothing with any background or light conditions.  If you book a photo shoot and your portrait photographer tells you not to wear white because it is hard to snap I recommend that you look for a new photographer.  All that statement shows is a dearth of knowledge about photography lighting. In addition if you would like more information on the promotion of  please follow this marketing photography link.