As you might have noticed from my previous blog posts, I was invited to test out a very expensive Hasselblad camera a few weeks back. The location was the Hasselblad studios in London and whilst I visiting I couldn’t resist recorded a couple of lighting videos.
In this first video I revisited the pure white background tutorial I made several years back. Since that original video I’ve refined the technique which now contains more accurate and useful information for anyone looking for the perfect white background.
Hi,
Thank you for the tutorial.
What light meter are you using?
Best
I use a Sekonic L-308s light/flash meter
Thanks, Gavin,
Much appreciated.
Hi Gavin
Thanks for producing the tutorial, very good. Currently I use a Lastolite Hi-Lite but it is such a trouble to pack it away I am thinking of just using a background. Can you recommended the best option for this option, also how best should I setup the lights to get a white background and a keylight as shown in your tutorial.
It would be quicker to learn how to fold the HiLite then to learn an all new lighting tecghnique. Stick at it 🙂
Hi Gavin,
On your previous tutorial on how to get a white background, you said to have the background two stops more that the subject whereas in this tutorial you say just one stop more.
It depends on the background Tony. You want around 1 stop more light on the background then the subject BUT the light reflected off the background (metered from the back of the subjects head) must be less then the key light. Sounds weird, but trust me it works.
Excellent tutorial Gavin, and a great way to start the New Year off. Thank you.
Hi Gavin,
I am trying to to perfect this for taking wedding cake photographs, where I want the background to be pure white and to actually have a little bit of overspill from the background light onto the back of the subject – anyway, my question is how do you have the background light set up? Is it ceiling mounted?
Great tutorial. I’ve learned a lot from your videos. It is possible to light the background using two hot lamps and using one key light has a strobe ??
It’s possible but you’ll need to balance the light output and colour very carefully.
Hi Gavin
I recently tried taking portrait shots wanting a pure white background using speedlites and followed your previous advice to shoot in manual [7D]. I don’t have a flash meter and it took a fair time to balance the two speedlites [Soft box main and bare flash for background] to get the pure white result. I see from your helpful video that a flashmeter would be a boon and reduce setup time. I note you say you use a Sekonic L-308S FLASHMATE but I am confused as to how you remotely fired the studio lights in your video without using a pc cable as I don’t think this flashmeter has any wireless capability just the use of a pc synch cable or a 90 sec period in which to fire the flash[es] manualy. Would you recommend this flashmeter for a ‘home studio’ using multiple speedlites?
Many thanks
Terry [Sussex UK]
Hi Gavin,
I really appreciate your efforts towards photography. Your videos are precise & simple to understand. Please provide video tutorials on product photography for reflective leather hand bags.
Thanks.