Comments on: White Backdrops: How to Photograph on White in Small Spaces

By: Rachel Jayne

Rachel Jayne — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 22:07:31 +0000

Hi Jodi,

Thanks for the great tips! Your twins are absolutely adorable, and your photos are great too! I have a very new business through Etsy, where I sell my handmade earrings and accessories, and I’m constantly looking for new photography tips! I’m pretty new to photography (took one or two classes about 7 years ago), so I’m still at the point where I really don’t know what I’m doing. As of right now, all of my photos take place outside, but I’m really considering switching to a white backdrop to give it a more professional, catalog-type look. Your explanation has giving me some great advice, Thanks so much!!

Rachel

By: Rudy

Rudy — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:22:30 +0000

Thanks Jodi! I enjoyed the pictures you’ve posted.

http://tipdeck.com/

By: Christy

Christy — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 02:58:03 +0000

Best tutorial EVER to get a great white background is:

http://www.zarias.com/?p=71

In this blog the person had a Lastolite backdrop thing in which you can put the lights in the background so that there is no spill from the lights onto the subjects. They can shoot in a confined space because of the no spill. If they did not have a Lastolite they would need much more room so that the subjects could move far enough away from the background as to not get and spill light washing out the back of them.

Go to the tutorial if you don’t want to spend $600 on a Lastolite background I know I don’t have money like that, I wish I did!!!

By: Shaun

Shaun — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:48:15 +0000

I have a bit larger studio so have the luxury of a bit more space but don’t worry too much about getting the background pure white from lighthing. Its very quick and easy to dodge the background to white for any ordered images. THis also means that the subjects are correctly lit and you don’t lose any detail, especially when they wear white t shirts!!

By: ttexxan

ttexxan — Sat, 30 May 2009 03:45:37 +0000

Jodi I have the extra large Hilite backdrop thats like 6×7…Its large but tall adults can stand up close to area without a problem…We used the same setup last week photography 38 3-4 yr olds but only had one light for the back and 1 key light. It took little more post processing work but white backgrounds came out steller…I highly recommend this set up…The kids can actually stand right up on the backdrop. They can even run around without and issue. One boy did several Karate kicks and placed in storyboard fashion…Wish could post some pics to show how easy this was!! Infact this was our first time using and parents just loved the photos

By: Jodi

Jodi — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:58:31 +0000

what a great idea Christine – just not sure I could do it neat enough…

They have these sweeps – that are almost like vinyl – it could cover the black and then goes out 6 feet for the subject to stand on…

By: Christine Gacharna

Christine Gacharna — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:54:52 +0000

GREAT post! I’m wondering if it would work for you to put some white Gaffers tape on the black rim of the Lastolite (why in the WORLD would they make that black and not white???) to save you from having to photoshop the black in full-lengths? I’m not sure what you meant by sweep?

By: Silvina

Silvina — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:05:31 +0000

I’m not familiar with studio lighting AT ALL yet, but these came out amazing, and i absolutely LOVE the catchlights!

By: Tanya

Tanya — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:02:03 +0000

Thanks Jodi. I have a little space and almost the same set-up, but just moved into my studio and haven’t used it yet. This gives me more confidence in the equipment I have. I can’t wait to work with it!! These shots look great!!
T

By: sara

sara — Fri, 22 May 2009 11:03:26 +0000

Hi Jodi. i have just got a 50mm 1.2f for my nikon and i cant seem to get that crisp focas that you achieve. Is there a trick?