How to Get a White Background in a Headshot - Headshot Photography Tips
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- Опубликовано: 29 авг 2022
- Headshots with a white background are probably the most requested thing in my studio. In this short, I will show you the technique I use to get an even, white background consistently every time. Here is the breakdown:
Using two strip boxes, I feather the lights across the background at a distance, allowing the light to spread evenly so there is no vignetting and no hot spots. The farther away the light sources are, the more the light spreads out. I will then measure the main light on the subject with a light meter getting the lighting pattern and quality that I like. Typically, for a business headshot, I set the light to be at F5.6 at ISO 100 or 200.
Returning to the background, I will set the lights to be one full stop brighter than the main light on the subject. If my subject measures F5.6 then I adjust the power of the lights until the background measures F8. I measure the light on the background in several places across the background to ensure that it's measuring the same, this avoids gradients and hot spots.
That's it! Even, white background every single time in every single headshot.
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these are fab. make the bg one stop brighter than subject is the all time bestest tip for shooting on a white bg. Thanks man!
Not a problem!
Thanks for this gem!!! made my headshot job smooth and awesome today!
Great to hear!
Gary, thanks for this!!!
You bet!
a white Background when the wall is white, is eays to make. But a white / black background with a grey wall that is a learning!
My dad always said that a grey background is the most versatile, you can turn it white, black, or any color you like with gels. The principle remains the same, though. Measure the light so that the background meters 1 stop brighter than the subject :)
Nice short! I wish they didn’t take so much time :)) I found an easy way to make my shorts in one take lol love your video ❤️
Yes! Creating content is EXHAUSTING
@@GaryHughesOfficial And the audience is demanding :)
Very much so, I just try to have fun with it :)
Would you mind sharing how you achieve your white background in your shorts? Would really appreciate it 💞💐
I think this short actually shows it, no? What do you think is missing?
Great set up. But why don’t have different aperture values on the subject and the BG? Are you taking multiple exposures and combining them?
If you look, I do have different aperture values on BG and subject. The subject meters at F5.6 and the BG at F8, a one stop difference. This formula produces a solid white background without blowing it out or reflecting back into the lens :) all in one exposure
Going to try this, always struggle to get the right white and either end up blowing it out or it looking more cream than white.
If you stick to one stop brighter than the subject I think you'll get great results!
@@GaryHughesOfficial that all depends you can have a under exposed subject and one stop in the BG doesn't mean it will be in the 250 zone if you know what I'm talking about.
@@Javy-OVP I do indeed. The trick is to set the camera to expose for the meter reading on the subject. If the background is lit evenly one stop brighter, you will get a nice white background without the light being so strong that it reflects back into the lens. It will be just shy of pure white, but that's how I like to do it :)
Gary - thanks for the quick tutorial. When you are on location at a client's office, what is your typical set up for a white background? Do you still use two lights to make sure you have even lighting on the background? Thanks! Great to meet you at Imaging 2024!
I use the same technique on location. The difference is just that the background is usually the Westcott X-Drop Pro rather than the white wall in my studio. Works pretty much anywhere :)
Thank you Gary- very helpful and appreciated!
No worries!
Think I can accomplish this with 2 glow softboxes instead of strip boxes? Deff going to pick up some strips, but have a 23 and 25 for the rear, and a 34 inch key. And a glow curved eyeliner thingy.
Yes, certainly. You’ll get less control and likely smaller spread, but it’s doable
What's the benefit of using a white background? Why not green screen or a darker grey/black?
Well I suppose that some people like a white background. It’s probably the most common headshot background, so people ask for it often.
I like using white as it can help with subject extraction.
How does one make the bg a stop brighter?? Camera settings?? What settings? Thanks!
The lights on the background should meter one stop brighter than the light falling on the subject. Piece of cake.
Question: I have a 42" EZBeauty Dish and 2 30x120cm Strips. Will these work or are they overkill? Thanks!
Those should work just fine :)
If the background light is brighter than the subject then they have to be in front of the background lighting right? If they were not then they would be blown out right? Then you adjust the light on the subject to be less brighter than the background?
You definitely don't want the background light on the subject, that's for sure. When trying to get a white background, the concept is to make sure that the background light is one full F-Stop brighter than the subject. A light meter really helps here. In this example, I lit the subject to meter at F5.6 and the background at F8. F8 is one stop brighter than F5.6. For frame of reference, one stop of light brighter is twice as bright. A light pumping out F8 is twice as bright as a light pumping out F5.6. Hope that helps!
Gary, I am curious. I notice thar you use your softbox of to the side and not centered as in the classic clamshell, when you use the eyelighter. How do you find this set up?
It works really well, I shoot most of my headshots this way :)
@@GaryHughesOfficial cool. I am thinking of getting one. Thanks for your response.
No worries
How many light set up sir.. I count 2
Three usually for white. One on the subject plus two for the background.
What softbox are you using boss
Glow EZ lock 36” :)
@@GaryHughesOfficial and for main light wish one your suing
That is the main one