Tag Archives: Studio Lightin

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This fashion look is one that’s being used a lot today.  From Maxim Magazine to Target Advertising, the black on white background with strong shadows has almost become common place.  It was used recently as the cover of Maxim, featuring Hilary Duff.  They’re using it again this month with Eliza Dushku.  One of the technical questions that can arise from this look is, “How do you get a white background to shoot white, not off white or gray?”

Short answer:  You light it seperate from your model.

Long answer: In this case the desired look is to have the background feel very close, strong shadows, impromptu style.  So, Val is lit directly by a beauty dish on a boom overhead.  To each side of her and very close to the background are strobes with umbrellas.  The light from the umbrellas spills on to the background, but not so much as to fall anywhere on Val.  I first get those lights set to an exposure that gets me to a white background just about everywhere and the beauty dish does the rest.

Camera Technical Information: 1Ds MKII, 70-200mm, f/8, ISO200, 1/200th shutter speed

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