an easier way to fix this background ?

[VayCayMom]

I have set up a tiny "studio". I am working with an on camera flash, a large north facing window, white cardboard room separators and a floor lamp !
I have a tiny space and although the backdrop is 5 x 7, I run out of room and background. Maybe I am not using the best lens to make use of the small space...
I am hand cloning the background to get the junk out of course and to blend the train and background, but I wonder if there are any other ways to deal with the two tones of the train and the backdrop.

This is my youngest daughter and her husband is in Iraq for the second time, she is wearing his shirt. And this is MY FIRST ATTEMPT to shoot his type of thing. My background and train are brand new so I am experimenting, ALOT!
http://cottageink.smugmug.com/photos/621427142_DmwZE-L.jpg

http://cottageink.smugmug.com/photos/621427311_cysk5-L.jpg

[Nikolai]

You did pretty good for a first draft!

The "key" to a "high key" is "high": you need lots of light. At least 2 (better 3 or more) stops about your subject (i.e. "key") light. Luckily, you don't have to use multithousand light setups - a few worklights can get you the effect. Mind you, your model may feel worse than being in Iraq itself: those hot lights not not called hot for nothing...

HTH

[RalphAdam]

[quote=VayCayMom]I have set up a tiny "studio". I am working with an on camera flash, a large north facing window, white cardboard room separators and a floor lamp !
I have a tiny space and although the backdrop is 5 x 7, I run out of room and background. Maybe I am not using the best lens to make use of the small space...
I am hand cloning the background to get the junk out of course and to blend the train and background, but I wonder if there are any other ways to deal with the two tones of the train and the backdrop.

This is my youngest daughter and her husband is in Iraq for the second time, she is wearing his shirt. And this is MY FIRST ATTEMPT to shoot his type of thing. My background and train are brand new so I am experimenting, ALOT!

http://cottageink.smugmug.com/photos/621427142_DmwZE-L.jpg

http://cottageink.smugmug.com/photos/621427311_cysk5-L.jpgVe

Very well done!!!!!!!!!!

[VayCayMom]

You did pretty good for a first draft!

The "key" to a "high key" is "high": you need lots of light. At least 2 (better 3 or more) stops about your subject (i.e. "key") light. Luckily, you don't have to use multithousand light setups - a few worklights can get you the effect. Mind you, your model may feel worse than being in Iraq itself: those hot lights not not called hot for nothing...

HTH

Thanks! By "stops" do you mean more light sources? I always thought when someone mentions that they meant the aperture setting needed to be changed, doh me. Anyway mine was pretty wide open !

[VayCayMom]

Thank you Ralph, after viewing the RAW photos she exclaimed " I think you have a future in photography!"
Since I only began this journey 18 months ago, on my own as an empty nester, I was very flattered.

[Nikolai]

Thanks! By "stops" do you mean more light sources? I always thought when someone mentions that they meant the aperture setting needed to be changed, doh me. Anyway mine was pretty wide open !
I meant "add more strategically positioned light sources to ensure the background is lit at least 4..8 times (i.e. 2..3 "stops") brighter" :wink

[Snowgirl]

I meant "add more strategically positioned light sources to ensure the background is lit at least 4..8 times (i.e. 2..3 "stops") brighter" :wink

Don't you find that work lights make a yellow cast on the background? I have two sets of double work lights on stands but have yet to be at all successful in using them.

[pathfinder]

One you overdrive white background pixels "past" 255,255,255 there is no color cast detectable - three stops brighter than your subject should do that I would think...

[Nikolai]

Don't you find that work lights make a yellow cast on the background? I have two sets of double work lights on stands but have yet to be at all successful in using them.
If you put enough of them any "cast" will disappear, since it will be more than 255,255,255.
Otherwise, yes, cast is an issue, that's why it's recommended to use all strobes. But that's an expensive solution...:dunno