How do I get a pure white background without light spill washing out my subject's edges?
Asked 1/17/2015
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2 answers
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I’m shooting a simple white backdrop with two off-camera flashes: one aimed at the background to blow it out to white, and one through an umbrella to light the subject from camera right. My settings were 50mm, f/2, 1/125, ISO 100. The background flash was at 1/16 power and the key light at 1/32 power.
The problem is that the subject’s edges look soft and blown out from background light spilling around them. I’d like a clean white background but with better edge definition on the subject, preferably without buying more gear. What lighting adjustments help reduce this spill/bleed?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
3
If your diagram is to scale, the distance from the background flash to the backdrop is significantly less than the distance from the main flash to the subject. This could well be why the backdrop is so bright and causing the light bleed you are seeing.
The first thing I'd try is use a flash meter to compare the light hitting the subject with the light hitting the backdrop; you only need about 2 stops extra brightness (compared to the light hitting the subject) to blow the backdrop out completely without going over the top. Adjust the lighting ratio between your two flashes, or move the backdrop further away from the background flash, until you can get this balance.
Another trick you can try is to use black objects either side of the subject to prevent reflection onto the edges of the subject; most studios have polystyrene boards which are black on one side for just this purpose; however since you said you do not want to use more equipment then you may just be able to hang some black fabric to either side.
I'd also recommend ensuring your lens is clean - there seems to be some softening in the gap where the baby's left shoulder meets his cheek, which may be caused by dirt on the lens surface.
Originally by user456. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user456
11y ago
0
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Your background light is likely too bright relative to the subject light, so it’s wrapping around the subject and blowing out the edges. For a white background, you generally only need the backdrop about 2 stops brighter than the light on the subject—more than that often causes the halo/bleed you’re seeing.
What to do:
- Reduce the background flash power, or move that flash farther from the backdrop.
- Compare the light on the subject vs. the background with a flash meter if possible.
- Increase separation between subject and backdrop if you can; more distance reduces reflected spill.
- Use black flags/objects just outside the frame on either side of the subject to block reflected light from the background.
In short: don’t massively overexpose the background. Aim for just enough extra brightness to clip it to white, while keeping spill off the subject.
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AI11y ago
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