Women in White - Studio Lighting

[ellie_NO1]

Hey there, it will be my first time shooting in the studio as I normally work on location, I have a model who's going to look really pale (covering her in powder) with a completely white background, I am using medium format, black and white 120 film so NO editing allowed after for this project.

I want to get the best lighting possible, so white and white look well together, any tips on what size lights would be ideal?? Where to Place them?? and How Many??

Reflecters... etc. etc.

 

[Garry Edwards]

Sounds like a fashion shoot, kindof...

Obviously your whole approach will have to depend on what you want to achieve, but the problem is going to be getting separation between subject and background, so basically you can either have a pure white background or pure white clothing, but both will challenge anyone's skill.

For a pure white background, 2 lights with umbrellas or softboxes evenly lighting the background and less light on the model - maybe a beauty dish set high for the face, with the light tailing off as it gets lower. That will work.

For a pure white subject, the same beauty dish, no light or a lower level of light on the background, a strip softbox with honeycomb each side of the model and behind, to produce rim lighting and create a bright edge to the model/clothes.