Backdrop


Rafael Tribiyani

New Member
Oct 11, 2011
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Hey guys need your experience on this issue.. Im currently using a muslin Black backdrop, my subject is also wearing black clothing.. How do i make the subject looks pop out of the black backdrop..
Thanks alot! :)
 

use some directional light on the subject's back

use a snoot or barndoor if you don't want light to spill onto your backdrop
 

What you are asking is a subject on "Rembrandt lighting", you need to prepare either 1 or 2 softbox, pointing 1 softbox 90Deg at the side of the model beaming on the face only. if uses 2 softbox, then 1 at the side and the other in front with weaker power, about 1-2 f-stop lower than the side.
 

What you are asking is a subject on "Rembrandt lighting", you need to prepare either 1 or 2 softbox, pointing 1 softbox 90Deg at the side of the model beaming on the face only. if uses 2 softbox, then 1 at the side and the other in front with weaker power, about 1-2 f-stop lower than the side.

I think you do not understand what is Rembrandt lighting... Rembrandt means 45/45 lighting... you can get it even with 1 light.

It is NOT placed 90 deg to the subject. It is NOT having 2 softboxes with the weaker one in front. The Key light of Rembrandt lighting, is placed 45 deg from the front, at a high angle pointing 45 deg downwards at the subject. That is why it is called 45/45 lighting also.

Please get your lighting basics right before you jump out and tell others how to do it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt_lighting

And BTW, Rembrandt lighting has absolutely nothing to do with separation from the background. Rembrandt lighting is more about the Key light only. Only hair lights, kickers and background lights are used to get separation.
 

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I think you do not understand what is Rembrandt lighting... Rembrandt means 45/45 lighting... you can get it even with 1 light.

It is NOT placed 90 deg to the subject. It is NOT having 2 softboxes with the weaker one in front. The Key light of Rembrandt lighting, is placed 45 deg from the front, at a high angle pointing 45 deg downwards at the subject. That is why it is called 45/45 lighting also.

Please get your lighting basics right before you jump out and tell others how to do it.

Rembrandt lighting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And BTW, Rembrandt lighting has absolutely nothing to do with separation from the background. Rembrandt lighting is more about the Key light only. Only hair lights, kickers and background lights are used to get separation.

Ok, I apologise for the earlier statement on the 90Deg, more of an error and did not think much while typing.

As for the 2 lightings, I did mentioned either 1 or 2. I didn't say 1 and 2.
 

Ok, I apologise for the earlier statement on the 90Deg, more of an error and did not think much while typing.

As for the 2 lightings, I did mentioned either 1 or 2. I didn't say 1 and 2.
Rembrandt lighting is to create a triangle highlight on your subject cheek bone, and cast a shadow of your subject nose, and the nose tip just touching the upper lips, it has to depends how you pose your subject and place the light accordingly, not every time 90 degree will work, cause everybody feature is different.
and softbox doesn't work, you can't see much of the highlight and shadow compare to using hard light.

and it does not help to separate the subject from the background. You need to use hair light or kicker light on your subject for posing in front of black background unless you are shooting a subject with light color hair, or bald.
 

Ok, I apologise for the earlier statement on the 90Deg, more of an error and did not think much while typing.

As for the 2 lightings, I did mentioned either 1 or 2. I didn't say 1 and 2.

Sounds more like you do not know what you are talking about...

This video will show you how to accomplish it... (the 1st lighting technique in the video). And as you notice, it does nothing for subject separation as it is a technique for Key lighting only. Like what catchlights said.. Rembrandt is all about the triangle...

[video=youtube;uH84-pA7p-c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH84-pA7p-c[/video]
 

Rembrandt lighting is not very popular here, one of the reason is we Asian, have very flat nose compare to Caucasian (except Indian), it is not easy to light the face, may move the light till you vomit blood still unable to get it right.

lighting a Caucasian is so much easier, face
feature is so sharp, but have to be careful about their very deep eye sockets.
 

Will this 45deg light give you separation between a black subject to the black background?
I don't have much studio experience, but I think we still need a kicker light here.

45deg light is great for showing the creases of a black jacket though.
 

Will this 45deg light give you separation between a black subject to the black background?
I don't have much studio experience, but I think we still need a kicker light here.

45deg light is great for showing the creases of a black jacket though.

No it doesn't. It is a technique for key lighting. And it does nothing for separation from background.
 

May I ask what are the common lighting setups for Chinese?
Rembrandt lighting is not very popular here, one of the reason is we Asian, have very flat nose compare to Caucasian (except Indian), it is not easy to light the face, may move the light till you vomit blood still unable to get it right.

lighting a Caucasian is so much easier, face
feature is so sharp, but have to be careful about their very deep eye sockets.
 

May I ask what are the common lighting setups for Chinese?

Rembrandt can still work, but lighting from the short side will accentuate the face better. get the subject to turn the head very slightly towards the light. Modify the light placement somewhere between 45 deg to 90 deg, to get stronger shadows on the broad side.