back light in studio query

melekalikimaka · 18-02-2009 3:11pm #1

i'm currently doing a large project in a studio, gonna take many many weeks, i'm looking for a solution to a problem, i need to use gels to light a white backdrop, in a way that the models will not get the colour cast on them, so far my only option is tracing paper....ALOT and shoot with the light from behind, not really feasable given it'll cost a bomb for that paper.

Any ideas?

mrmac · 18-02-2009 3:19pm

I don't quite understand, are you trying to change the colour of the background?

Fajitas! · 18-02-2009 3:22pm

Just use a solid gobo, from tables turned on their sides to something more advanced.

CabanSail · 18-02-2009 3:24pm

Why not shoot it with the White Background & then change the colour in PP?

Dragan · 18-02-2009 3:47pm

You could use a double back drop. One very light sheet of white material that is back lit by the lights, a second heavier white backdrop a foot or two behind to add a more "solid" look to the back drop, without a cross over of colours or the added difficulty of having to light through the thicker backdrop.

It should be noted,the only place this makes sense is in my head.

mloc · 18-02-2009 7:32pm

I'd go with a flag or gobo between camera and background light to stop any spill.

If the background itself is massively reflective you might have problems but most studio backdrops aren't.

melekalikimaka · 18-02-2009 8:20pm

hummm i think the second backdrop will dilute the colour to much and a gobo mightn't give that even a cast.... shall try and find out tho

Fajitas! · 18-02-2009 11:02pm

If you use something solid, you'll be fine.

melekalikimaka · 19-02-2009 9:12am

really?

can ya exaplain in more detail this double backdrop?

Fajitas! · 19-02-2009 9:31am

Attached a quick diagram of the set up I'm on about. Just out of bed so expect nothing spectacular.

PaulieC · 19-02-2009 9:41am

Fajitas! wrote: »

Attached a quick diagram of the set up I'm on about. Just out of bed so expect nothing spectacular.

Spectacular enough in fairness...

Fajitas! · 19-02-2009 9:42am

Hah, the template is an old one, handy for this kind of thing though, it has all the different light sources and gobo's, you just drag, drop, copy and paste and rotate to what you need!

PaulieC · 19-02-2009 9:46am

I think the point is that it was done pre-9 a.m.!

CabanSail · 19-02-2009 9:55am

I still don't understand why you need to use the Gels at the time of shooting.

What I hear a lot of people do is shoot a High Key background & then alter the colour in a layer later. Set the lights bright enough to blow the bacground to white, but not so high that you get reflection back on to the model & so get spill (using some sort of Barn Doors or the like can help here) This way you can then select any colour you wish as to put in the background & vary it to suit your needs.

Fajitas! · 19-02-2009 10:03am

Tbh, I find it a lot less fiddly to do it all at the time of shooting - What would take an extra twenty minutes to set up in the studio can take an extra 10 minutes per photo in Photoshop (And I can be a perfectionist for post processing, so possibly make that longer), so if I wanted 10 images after the shoot, I'm talking 100 minutes to get it perfect.

Get it right with the lighting, and you're sorted for all 10 images.

RCNPhotos · 19-02-2009 10:36am

Guessing that it's for college, using gels, explaining how you used em etc etc all equals higher marks.

Try asking Kevin Fox too Mele, he's great for lighting etc.

melekalikimaka · 19-02-2009 5:20pm

RCNPhotos wrote: »

Guessing that it's for college, using gels, explaining how you used em etc etc all equals higher marks.

Try asking Kevin Fox too Mele, he's great for lighting etc.

Indeed and I did ask, he said do it in post pro but finding a solution in studio would be better

back light in studio query

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