BACKGROUND SHADES

Dear reader, if this entry or my other blog entries don't answer your specific photography questions, you can call me on the phone anytime for advice by clicking here.

This studio backdrop is pure white in reality, but in this photograph it is gray. If all you have is a white wall to shoot against, you can change the shade of the background from pure white to dark grey. Simply move the model closer to, or further away from the wall.

If this subject was very close to the background, the wall would be pure white. If you don't want pure white, move the subject away from the wall. If your room is large enough, you will eventually get to the point where the white background has turned black.

How do you do this? Make sure that your studio lights are overpowering any ambient window or fixture lights. A good combination to start with is a shutter speed of approximately 1/200, and an aperture of f8. Place your lights slightly over the subject, in any direction that you choose. Make sure the lights aren't pointing toward the background. With this studio set-up, you should be able to effectively control the shade of the background simply by altering the position of the subject. This technique is very useful for photographers on a budget, as you will not need to purchase a gray background. 

Mark's photographic prints for your wall can be purchased at www.markhemmings.com
Mark can be hired as a photographer or filmmaker via www.hemmingshouse.com