Being Creative with that White Background

EdinburghGary

EdinburghGary

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Some interesting discussions in IRC (people really should come in more often, it's cool - see the EXTRAS menu above!)...

Anyway, we were discussing your typical white background studio shots, and somne of us are pondering, is there room to grow in this "pigeon hole" so to speak? You have the photographer, and you have that washed out background. You then have some willing participants and lights...

So, where do we squeeze creativity in? What is it that makes those white background shots better than the rest? Is there room to have a unique, edgy, arty style in this almost clinical environment?

Worth discussing!

Gary.
 
interesting as the whole white BG venture style shots generally leave me cold, I reckon the BG shifts the emphasis in the image to the subject and that if something about the subject is amazing (and amazingly lit) then the resultant image will be amazing, whereas many white BG shots are v mediocre.

not 100% if any of that made sense :D
 
david1701 said:
interesting as the whole white BG venture style shots generally leave me cold, I reckon the BG shifts the emphasis in the image to the subject and that if something about the subject is amazing (and amazingly lit) then the resultant image will be amazing, whereas many white BG shots are v mediocre.

not 100% if any of that made sense :D
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You made perfect sense, and you made an awesomely simple yet valid point...! If the only part of the image with anything happening, is the subject, surely, all you can be creative with, is the subject :clap:
 
Nope, the picture begins and ends with the outline of the subject.
The only creativity you can apply, is to the subject itself.
Deviation from white creates a diversion and kinda negates the point of a white bg.
There are other colours and effects to use, but they aren't as anonymous as white.
 
grey card grey may be the answer
textured backgrounds give perspective
 
I think blown highlights and out of focus is the way forward...

seriously though, it's only processing that is going to give a different look, unless you go at it with colour filters and the like
 
For me, creativity and using a white background ust dont go together. Does that mean I am not creative enough?
 
Dated they may well be but;) Taken well they will give the impression to anyone that see's them on someones wall that they have been to a studio and spent alot of money... IMHO Its all to do with people trying to show off..

imho;)


md;)
 
wscott45 said:
For me, creativity and using a white background ust dont go together
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I would have thought creative lighting, pose, composition could all make or break a white bgd shot. Personally, I like white bgd shots.
 
68lbs said:
I would have thought creative lighting, pose, composition could all make or break a white bgd shot. Personally, I like white bgd shots.
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Couldnt that make or break any shot? MD has a point. Personally I dont like them. But alot of people do.
 
A lot of people do like them I agree.

But to me a portrait should be expression expression expression.
 
So you cant get decent expressions with a white background? The thing for me is that, bar lighting you cant be creative. And white backgrounds are always so, well....white. You could add props, but then it starts to look cheesy and far too staged. Back to the original point - if you want to be creative (this is to gary by the way), then why not stick to doing more of the shots like those you did of yours friends baby (toddler? I cant quite remember), which you posted the other day. Probably because people want white background shots?
 
wscott45 said:
So you cant get decent expressions with a white background? The thing for me is that, bar lighting you cant be creative. And white backgrounds are always so, well....white. You could add props, but then it starts to look cheesy and far too staged. Back to the original point - if you want to be creative (this is to gary by the way), then why not stick to doing more of the shots like those you did of yours friends baby (toddler? I cant quite remember), which you posted the other day. Probably because people want white background shots?
Click to expand...

Not suggesting that I stick with / mainly do White Background. I am just wondering how creative one can be in this environment. I would love to shoot more natural light photos in lovely scenic areas.

Gary.
 
Ok, good - because I really liked those shots. It was ust that from reading your other thread on your studio, I was under the impression you were going to devote a fair amount of time and effort towards wbg shots.
 
Thinking portraits etc, white backgrounds are good for high key, contrasts (ie dark skin, dark clothing) but I find it a lot easier and emphasises the model more with a dark/black background.
 
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