Lastolite Hilite Backgrounds
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HoppyUK
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I think you might have a problem getting an even colour tone.
It's very hard to get a HiLite absolutely even all over, including with the best lighting. That doesn't matter much with pure white as so long as everything is over-exposed, it looks perfectly even despite the fact that there are actually hot-spots here and there, especially if you want to cover a large area.
I think you would get better results gelling flashes on a regular white paper background which, if you've got the sapce and have two identical flash guns firing across the background from either side at an identical distance and angle, can give very even coverage.
The main advanatge of the HiLight is that it gives good results in a very compact area because you can put the light stands virtually inside them, and the subject can be positioned right up against it if necessary.
It's very hard to get a HiLite absolutely even all over, including with the best lighting. That doesn't matter much with pure white as so long as everything is over-exposed, it looks perfectly even despite the fact that there are actually hot-spots here and there, especially if you want to cover a large area.
I think you would get better results gelling flashes on a regular white paper background which, if you've got the sapce and have two identical flash guns firing across the background from either side at an identical distance and angle, can give very even coverage.
The main advanatge of the HiLight is that it gives good results in a very compact area because you can put the light stands virtually inside them, and the subject can be positioned right up against it if necessary.
EOS_JD
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Hoppy you van get pretty even light across the HiLite - aybe not perfect but within 1/3rd of a stop which is pretty good.
I've not used Gels yet but is something I'll look at some time. As far as the HiLite goes - it's a cracking unit.
I've not used Gels yet but is something I'll look at some time. As far as the HiLite goes - it's a cracking unit.
I too need a background soon, and I've been reading several threads where the HiLite has been popular.
What are the advantages of the HiLite over a muslin background? Is it that it's easier to blow the background, or at least easier without needing more space?
I'm not sure how to best cover/hide the bottom edge of the HiLite, which is easier with sheet backgrounds. Sheet backgrounds also make it easier to switch from a white to a black bckground I assume.
Thanks
What are the advantages of the HiLite over a muslin background? Is it that it's easier to blow the background, or at least easier without needing more space?
I'm not sure how to best cover/hide the bottom edge of the HiLite, which is easier with sheet backgrounds. Sheet backgrounds also make it easier to switch from a white to a black bckground I assume.
Thanks
Hodders
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I think that the main advantages are potability, weight and space. In theory the subject can stand really close to a hilite without any shadow (as the BG is effectively backlit).
The downside is that standing this close results in loads of light wrapping around which tends to kill punchy crisp images and make soft edges (like hair) disappear.
Compare some of the images in the "FITP hilite" threads with some of Edinburgh Gary's (EG) images and you will see the difference a bit of separation - both distance and lack of wrap around light (and in EG's case hard work - lots of it) make.
Covering the join is also an issue people tend to struggle with. EG's solution is to raise the floor up and leave a gap so that in essence there isn't a join, just a trough between the hilite and the floor - again not really a portable solution.
Gloss white floors also make a big difference in helping to keep the floor white not grey as it is lit by refection from the BG and less so by the key light.
Getting it right in camera especially with a portable set up is a challenge - but a fun one.
The downside is that standing this close results in loads of light wrapping around which tends to kill punchy crisp images and make soft edges (like hair) disappear.
Compare some of the images in the "FITP hilite" threads with some of Edinburgh Gary's (EG) images and you will see the difference a bit of separation - both distance and lack of wrap around light (and in EG's case hard work - lots of it) make.
Covering the join is also an issue people tend to struggle with. EG's solution is to raise the floor up and leave a gap so that in essence there isn't a join, just a trough between the hilite and the floor - again not really a portable solution.
Gloss white floors also make a big difference in helping to keep the floor white not grey as it is lit by refection from the BG and less so by the key light.
Getting it right in camera especially with a portable set up is a challenge - but a fun one.
Thanks for the reply - makes me think it's probably not the solution for me.
The benefits the HiLite have a probably not suitable for me, but it's so popular it makes it harder to find discussion on alternative set-ups
I don't really need portability or lightweight. Space wise, I have plenty of space behind and to the sides of the subject, so no benefit there - where I don't have space is in height, I can't raise the floor.
Yeah I've seen the glossy floors people use and plan to have that as an option.
The benefits the HiLite have a probably not suitable for me, but it's so popular it makes it harder to find discussion on alternative set-ups