Need help on High Key...

[ChrisAdval]

Ashley Lynn - Red Skirt 04 by Chris Adval, on Flickr

I have others similar of the above. I tend to have this issue no matter what I've tried. I tried pumping up my power on the studio lights hitting the backdrop to the maximum level and its helped a tiny bit but still an issue.. My goal is to have the white backdrop completely pure white. I don't normally catch this until I upload it to flickr and see the difference from the flickr white background to my backdrop in the photo and I see the difference, but in photoshop/lightroom I don't see it because its on a gray background (photoshop).

What I want to do is fix this before post to not deal with this issue in post any longer. Do I need more powerful lights? or do I need to lower my aperture, which right now it’s generally in f/5.6 to f/9.

[scootermcq]

This may help

I've moved the blog –> zackarias.com/blog White Seamless Tutorial :: Part 1 :: Gear & Space

I've moved the blog –> zackarias.com/blog White Seamless Tutorial :: Part 2 :: Setting Lights & Exposure

Really, your background is not "hot" enough. You need it about 3 stops or so brighter than the subject. Might just have to move the model forward more and reduce main light and aperture

edit - I also just noticed the wrap or spill from the background on her butt..... the model does need to be further from the background.

[sk66]

Just a note, you can change your BG color to white in PS. Just rt click on it. I use grey for general purpose and specific (custom) colors for specific applications.

[OsmosisStudios]

Your model is too close and your BG lights set too low. You need to bump the power while moving her away from the BG. Part of the problem is that youre getting reflection from her dress on the BG, and youve already got enough/too much wrap light.

That particular pose: she needs top open up a bit and face you a tiny bit more head on. With the one eye half-cut, it's an awkward position and it creates a dark shadow in that hidden eye

[Snakekilla]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

This may help

I've moved the blog –> zackarias.com/blog White Seamless Tutorial :: Part 1 :: Gear & Space

I've moved the blog –> zackarias.com/blog White Seamless Tutorial :: Part 2 :: Setting Lights & Exposure

Really, your background is not "hot" enough. You need it about 3 stops or so brighter than the subject. Might just have to move the model forward more and reduce main light and aperture

edit - I also just noticed the wrap or spill from the background on her butt..... the model does need to be further from the background.

Yea those links was the first place I went before even attempting high key. The BG is coming up to f/32 and drops on the ends of the paper like f/16. So, I thought f/5.6 to f/9 on subject would be enough. Thanks for the tips I'll have subjects move more away from the BG and lower my aperture/key light.

Originally Posted by sk66

Just a note, you can change your BG color to white in PS. Just rt click on it. I use grey for general purpose and specific (custom) colors for specific applications.

I know, but I'm trying to remove the need of post or reducing it at least... just not a big fan of doing everything in post as I prefer to do it in the shot/camera.

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Your model is too close and your BG lights set too low. You need to bump the power while moving her away from the BG. Part of the problem is that youre getting reflection from her dress on the BG, and youve already got enough/too much wrap light.

That particular pose: she needs top open up a bit and face you a tiny bit more head on. With the one eye half-cut, it's an awkward position and it creates a dark shadow in that hidden eye

Thanks, would you think a beauty-dish improve the lighting in this shot? (I'm considering investing into one...)

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Snakekilla

Thanks, would you think a beauty-dish improve the lighting in this shot? (I'm considering investing into one...)

Not that I can imagine: beauty dish creates a very specific style of light: it wont help with the issues you have.

[AdrenoJunkie]

Originally Posted by Snakekilla

I know, but I'm trying to remove the need of post or reducing it at least... just not a big fan of doing everything in post as I prefer to do it in the shot/camera.

I think he meant that you can change the Photoshop background. So you can see your photo on black or white instead of gray.