Lastolite Hilite Background

mission1968

mission1968

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Peter
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Hi all am thinking of getting a Lastolite Hilite Background as i been doing home studio work in tight places and doing alot of photoshop, i have seen a few videos about them. Has anyone used or got one and are there worth there price.

thanks peter
 
My concern with these seems to be that it is going to create some work in Photoshop when you add a train on to it as it doesn't seem to meet that well
 
HiLites work very well, and are great when space is tight. Very efficient with light too - you can fill them with a couple of speedlites easy.

You have to do at least some post processing with full length pure white, no matter what equipment or techniques you use.
 
Its a very quick fix in Lightroom to tidy up the train and join. I don't find it any more time consuming than post processing shots taken on white paper
 
Thanks for your input guys i know you still have to do some post processing but at the minute i seem to do a lot as cant get the subject at a good distance from the background, just with the Hilite i thought it might be easier to set up in peoples homes
 
I just use the adjustment brush set to +1 ish on exposure. That normally sorts the train out nicely leaving a bit of shadowing to stop the subject floating. The hilite itself should be exposed correctly already
The hilite does work well in peoples houses because you can position the subject much closer to the hilite than you can a normal white background. However it can be tricky to avoid the light wrapping around the subject a bit especially if the space is very tight and there is only room for one light in the hilite. I try to get the hilite 2/3 - 1 stop higher than the subect but obviously kids move around so it isn't quite that simple. So I wouldn't say it is a technically perfect solution for modelling shots where lighting control is vital but it is a workable solution for kids and small family groups.
 
Also meant to say, the Velcro that hold the train in place is pretty rubbish so I upgraded mine but hyperactive toddlers can still pull it away and then you do end up with a black line that needs cloning out. I've attached my train to a piece of Lino to help stop it ruckling up on carpet as well
 
paul_g said:
Also meant to say, the Velcro that hold the train in place is pretty rubbish so I upgraded mine but hyperactive toddlers can still pull it away and then you do end up with a black line that needs cloning out. I've attached my train to a piece of Lino to help stop it ruckling up on carpet as well
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I think i will get one been looking on flickr and there is some great stuff done with the hilite, i may have to ask for tips off you and hoppy though seen 1 for £279 with train is that a fare price
 
paul_g said:
Also meant to say, the Velcro that hold the train in place is pretty rubbish
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I used to thing that till I attached the floor to the other side of the velcro! So much better :) Just fold it back from the hilite and tuck in the vinyl - works perfect.
 
THere's lots of threads in here about the hilite if you do a quick search.
Most of the images I take are all in a small living room with a 6x7 hilite and 2 Elinchrom 400BX lights in the background and a 500BXRi with a large softbox as main. I also attach the black bottletop and use a single light for the black background stuff (sometimes use a hair light -depends what I'm shooting.

Great bit of kit.
 
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mission1968 said:
I think i will get one been looking on flickr and there is some great stuff done with the hilite, i may have to ask for tips off you and hoppy though seen 1 for £279 with train is that a fare price
Click to expand...

There are lots of threads on shooting white backgrounds, some long and detailed.

Basically, this technique is not easy, though the Hilite makes it much easier as well as saving a lot of precious working area. The trick is to get the background as evenly lit as possible, and then just/I] over expose it so that it blows to white.

With care, that can be done okay but when it comes to lighting the train - which is obviously impossible to over expose without over exposing the subject with it - that's when clever tricks like reflective floors come in and/or bit of jiggery pokery in post processing.

In other words, have a go with head portraits and three-quarter body shots first, then when you've got that nailed, add the train and try for full length, kids on the floor etc.
 
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Simple fix for the floor in Lightroom.

Use the Adj brush set to +2 (doesn't matter initially). With a decent sized brush and a large feather and importantly AUTO MASK ticked, just paint over the white floor with the centre of the brush staying only on the white (it shouldn't affect your subject so long as they are not wearing white - more care needs to be taken if they are).

So just paint and once done adjust the exposure of the affected area to fine tune.
 
HoppyUK said:
There are lots of threads on shooting white backgrounds, some long and detailed.

Basically, this technique is not easy, though the Hilite makes it much easier as well as saving a lot of precious working area. The trick is to get the background as evenly lit as possible, and then just/I] over expose it so that it blows to white.

With care, that can be done okay but when it comes to lighting the train - which is obviously impossible to over expose without over exposing the subject with it - that's when clever tricks like reflective floors come in and/or bit of jiggery pokery in post processing.

In other words, have a go with head portraits and three-quarter body shots first, then when you've got that nailed, add the train and try for full length, kids on the floor etc.
Click to expand...


That sounds like a plan am going to order one thanks for the help sounds like i wont regret it :thumbs:
 
EOS_JD said:
THere's lots of threads in here about the hilite if you do a quick search.
Most of the images I take are all in a small living room with a 6x7 hilite and 2 Elinchrom 400BX lights in the background and a 500BXRi with a large softbox as main. I also attach the black bottletop and use a single light for the black background stuff (sometimes use a hair light -depends what I'm shooting.

Great bit of kit.
Click to expand...

had a quick look at your work eos well impressed must get one now :thumbs:
 
EOS_JD said:
I used to thing that till I attached the floor to the other side of the velcro! So much better :) Just fold it back from the hilite and tuck in the vinyl - works perfect.
Click to expand...


:eek:

Think I've been having a senior moment for the last 2 years :lol::lol::lol:
 
mission1968 said:
had a quick look at your work eos well impressed must get one now :thumbs:
Click to expand...

THanks :) That's only a small selection and really need to update. I'm trying now with different modifiers - I'm certainly nowhere near where I want to be but happy plaing along :) THe hilite has made it possible.
 
paul_g said:
:eek:

Think I've been having a senior moment for the last 2 years :lol::lol::lol:
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Took me a couple of months thinking why is this velcro so poor! Then the girlfriend said nothing wrong with it as she attached it to the correct side DOH!!! haha
 
Glad I wasn't the only one then. I just decided it was rubbish and stuck some new velcro on with the furry side facing out. Just looked and there's the furry side of the original snuggling up to the hilite. :thinking:
 
mission1968 said:
had a quick look at your work eos well impressed must get one now :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Warning! Check the vids on YouTube before you attempt to fold it away :D
 
HoppyUK said:
Warning! Check the vids on YouTube before you attempt to fold it away :D
Click to expand...

I've noticed that a crowd always gather when its time to fold it away. Thankfully I've got it down to a fine art now. the first time though, boy oh boy, the swearing and sweating....... :lol:
 
Once you get the hang of folding it takes just a few seconds to do.
 
Be careful in the house as it does have some spring to it and it's BIG! What size you looking at?

8x7 is too big for the average home and 7x5 too narrow. 6x7 is a good size.
 
I got it right away but maybe best to do as hoppy suggested. Play around with Head & Shoulders shots to see how you get on and if you like it.

The floor though is very handy for sitting shots and full length and is pretty quick to edit.

What kit (lighting) will you be using?
 
So a couple of lights in the hilite and a main and fill. With the bottletop (black) I use the spare lights as fill and/or hair lights.
 
there will be plenty of peeps here to help.
 
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