Sikhouettes in the studio

[EdinburghGary]

Guys,

How would one get a Silhouette of an individual in a studio? If you imagine, a complete contrast between background and body shape, black vs white. I can imagine it's easy as hell in a LARGE studio, with 100% control of ALL light bounce (ie, you completely underexpose the foreground subject, and light the background)...however, is there a way to do it in a much smaller space?

Gary.

 

[Snapper73]

Hi Gary do you of a example of the kind of Silhouette your trying to achieve.

 

[DiddyDave]

Not tried this one EG, but if the background is nicely lit and the subject is as far from it as possible (you have no windows right?), then the reflected light should be dim enough to underexpose the subject by 3 or more stops - then just drag the Black/Gamma sliders to the right (shouldn't affect the white background obviously) and Hey Prestatin

Probably

DD

 

[tiler65]

On small scale this is how I did one, for a larger shot I think you need to have a large bed sheet and a few lights behind.

Just a large Octabox, then raised the contrast and blacks in PS.

 

[mmcp42]

a couple of large black screens to keep the background light in its place might help

 

[EdinburghGary]

Hi Gary do you of a example of the kind of Silhouette your trying to achieve.

Very similar to the one below, but a much larger area, maybe 8ft across my 8 ft high...

Not tried this one EG, but if the background is nicely lit and the subject is as far from it as possible (you have no windows right?), then the reflected light should be dim enough to underexpose the subject by 3 or more stops - then just drag the Black/Gamma sliders to the right (shouldn't affect the white background obviously) and Hey Prestatin

Probably

DD

Once I put the blackout curtains up, the studio should very little in terms of light from the reception area.

On small scale this is how I did one, for a larger shot I think you need to have a large bed sheet and a few lights behind.

Just a large Octabox, then raised the contrast and blacks in PS.

BINGO So perhaps I build an 8 x 8 frame, stretch material over it, and use it if I want to do one of these shots.

a couple of large black screens to keep the background light in its place might help

Building them on Monday, I have the wood and paint so will get that part finished hopefully.

Gary.

 

[HoppyUK]

Not tried this one EG, but if the background is nicely lit and the subject is as far from it as possible (you have no windows right?), then the reflected light should be dim enough to underexpose the subject by 3 or more stops - then just drag the Black/Gamma sliders to the right (shouldn't affect the white background obviously) and Hey Prestatin

Probably

DD

^^^ Sounds right

If you can kill all the spill, and don't use an inch more white background than you absolutely need (expand it in post as necessary) you shouldn't need too much work in post. But sometimes a bit of wrap is nice - gives some shape.