Advice regarding separation when using black background.

scottduffy

scottduffy

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Scott
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Guy's i will post an example shortly but i was taking some photos of my wife and niece last night just practising with a black background and although they really liked the pictures there were definate separation issues. I used a one light set up at 45 degrees in front and to the side and then i decided to try to separate them from the background by putting a second speedlight on the floor behind them facing slightly forward and up. This still didn't have the desired effect.

Just for clarity both of them were about 5 foot from the background. Any ideas how i could improve the separation?

Images now added



 
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Position the 2nd light behind and above, at a distance that will catch the hair and upper body, to light the hair and add separation to the shoulders & upper arms :)

Be careful it doesn't flash into your lens!
 
So something like this Chris

************background**************
************************************
************************************
*******************separation/back light**
************************************
*************subject*****************
************************************
**********************key light********
************************************
*************Camera******************

I would not be able to put the back light behind the subject as you would see it in the photos but would it be ok behind to either side?
 
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anymore advice now my super diagram and pictures have been added?
 
That's the way I normally do it, but I keep the backlight on the opposite side from the key light.... remember and flag it - any piece of cardboard, etc will do the job....

************background**************
************************************
************************************
***back light*************************
************************************
*************subject*****************
************************************
**********************key light********
************************************
*************Camera******************
 
Derek when you say flag it do you mean so that the light is pointing directly at the subject? Like making a snoot or using a snoot?
 
I think it's more like a big piece of cardboard placed in a position to stop light spilling.

Like this:

flags%20black.jpg
 
Thanks Graham. I'm not quite sure what i could hang the cardboard from but i'll have a wee look tonight and see if i can find something.
 
Been having the same problem lol I'm actually thinking I could use my camera tripod somehow.
 
Scott..... you don't have to hang it from anything - if you have no velcro you can use to attach it to the flash head, just make a bit of cardboard to fit one side of the flash by around 6" long and attach it with a rubber band. Will try and knock something up and take a photo of it for you tonight....

Edit: Quickest job ever! You don't need anything more complicated than this to flag off the light...

aorkue.jpg
 
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I'm nervous about doing that with mine as it's got 150W modelling lights running. Do you reckon the cardboard will be ok?
 
gman said:
I'm nervous about doing that with mine as it's got 150W modelling lights running. Do you reckon the cardboard will be ok?
Click to expand...

I would think it would be ok, but you could always stick kitchen foil to the part that would get hot just to be safe..... :D
 
gman said:
I'm nervous about doing that with mine as it's got 150W modelling lights running. Do you reckon the cardboard will be ok?
Click to expand...

cine foil works its like foil but its rigider (so you can make mods from it) and matt black - I really need to order some :D



yeah you need a rim light as mentioned above seen a pair of gridded strip-boxes making epic rims
 
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