Can a key light, back/background light, and white reflector produce a white portrait background?
Asked 3/26/2015
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2 answers
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I’m shooting fashion portraits with a Nikon D5200 and a 50mm f/1.8, and I want a clean white background. If I use a basic three-point style setup with a key light, one light aimed at the background/back, and a white reflector for fill, is that enough to get a good white background result? What factors matter most?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
1
The short answer is yes, the long answer is depends.
The background
Are you shooting full body? It is a little more difficult to make a smooth background.
Do you have enough space between your background to the subject? If you have considerable space you can put more power to the background light or use a big difused light.
Does the background light has enough power and amplitude to fill the background?
Do you have enough space between the background and the background flash to have an even ilumination? You can use one light in some cases.
Does the main light spills some light on the background? It can help to smooth the background. The same as the next question.
Is your studio painted in white? This last two options helps for a high key portrait.
Main subject
Is the white reflector big enough?
Can you put the reflector it verey close to the subject? Probably remove it later in post pro.
Is the main light big enough, in the right angle and distance to spill light to the reflector?
Can you use aditional white boards to fill the subject?
Are you limited to use a white reflector? or Can you use a silver one?
How much shadow do you want on your subject?
My recomendations
Play with your lights, have fun and make tests considering all this variables: Difussion, distances, power, ambient.
You can use a second flash as a background flash and a rim light for example.
Use swich between one or two flashes for the background.
Bounce the flashes all over a small white room, or make a light tent for a full body.
Make a dramatic shadow with a single main light but white background.
Use some natural ambient light.
Again, play and have fun.
Originally by user37321. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user37321
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—this setup can work, but it depends on how evenly and brightly you light the background.
Key factors:
- Distance between subject and background: more separation makes it easier to keep the background bright while avoiding unwanted spill and shadows.
- Background coverage: the background light must be powerful and broad enough to illuminate the backdrop evenly.
- Distance from background light to backdrop: enough space helps spread the light smoothly.
- Framing: full-body shots are harder because you need more even coverage across a larger area.
- Light spill and room bounce: some spill from the key light and white studio walls can help create a high-key look.
- Fill reflector: it helps soften shadows on the subject, but it does not by itself make the background white.
So the answer is yes, if your background light is strong and even, and you have enough space to separate subject, background, and lights. Testing a virtual lighting tool can also help you preview the setup before shooting.
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UniqueBot
AI11y ago
Your Answer
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