Black on black head shot

JayClark79 · 11-21-2009, 10:05 AM

A friend of mine is looking to have a head shot done for her business card she said she wants a black background which is no problem but she also said she wants to wear a black top... I told her she might come out looking like a floating head so she said she'd bring a lighter top also just in case.

How can I make her stick out from the background... I have 2 off camera flashes.. should i just put 1 behind her for rim light?? Should i point the flash at the background?

Or am i being silly and if the flash and exposure are correct it will light her black top?

Dwig · 11-21-2009, 10:39 AM

Step one: Examine a reasonable number of portraits by Josef Karsh ( Josef Karsh - Google Images ), particularily the famous image of Hemingway, paying close attention to where the light is coming from.

Step two: get the model to bring a dark grey top. Something that will photograph "almost black".

Step three: set up one light as a rim light, high and behind the subject.

Atlas77 · 11-21-2009, 11:19 AM

I dont have any advice for you but I do have an off-topic question. How did you get those bars in your signature?

**Pugs** · 11-21-2009, 11:25 AM

As stated, kicker/rim light high, above, and behind. Offset it to the side opposite the key light. Post up pics when you're done!

boogschd · 11-21-2009, 04:49 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Atlas77

I dont have any advice for you but I do have an off-topic question. How did you get those bars in your signature?

Download AmitySource UserBar Generator - Freeware Software - Tucows

11-21-2009, 10:05 AM	#1
JayClark79 Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Delaware Posts: 213 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Black on black head shot A friend of mine is looking to have a head shot done for her business card she said she wants a black background which is no problem but she also said she wants to wear a black top... I told her she might come out looking like a floating head so she said she'd bring a lighter top also just in case. How can I make her stick out from the background... I have 2 off camera flashes.. should i just put 1 behind her for rim light?? Should i point the flash at the background? Or am i being silly and if the flash and exposure are correct it will light her black top? __________________ Canon Rebel 500D \| EF 50mm 1.8 II \| 18-55mm Kit Lens \| 75-300mm Canon EF f 4.5 III \| Vivitar 383 Flash \| Opteka Grip \|

11-21-2009, 10:39 AM	#2
Dwig I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Key West FL Posts: 996 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 61 Times in 60 Posts My Gallery: (10)	Step one: Examine a reasonable number of portraits by Josef Karsh ( Josef Karsh - Google Images ), particularily the famous image of Hemingway, paying close attention to where the light is coming from. Step two: get the model to bring a dark grey top. Something that will photograph "almost black". Step three: set up one light as a rim light, high and behind the subject. __________________ -------- Dwig happythursday.com

11-21-2009, 11:19 AM	#3
Atlas77 I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 616 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I dont have any advice for you but I do have an off-topic question. How did you get those bars in your signature? __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Nikon D90 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Nikon 18-70 f/3.5-4.5G ------------------------------------------------------------------ Nikon 50mm 1.8D (hoping for one soon!) ------------------------------------------------------------------

11-21-2009, 11:25 AM	#4
Pugs I gotta make more TPF time! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 895 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 35 Times in 32 Posts My Gallery: (0)	As stated, kicker/rim light high, above, and behind. Offset it to the side opposite the key light. Post up pics when you're done! __________________ -Pugs Nikon D300: - Nikkor 18-55mm AF-S f/3.5-5.6 DX GII - ProMaster 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 - Nikkor 50mm AF f/1.8 D - ProMaster 55-200mm AF f/4-5.6 LD Macro - Nikkor 70-300mm AF f/4-5.6 G - Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DL Macro Super Konica Autoreflex T2 & nT3 - Hexanon 50mm AF f/1.7 - Hexanon 52mm AF f/1.8 - Hexanon 100mm AF f/2.8 - Spiratone 135mm Auto Spira-Tel YS f/2.8

11-21-2009, 04:49 PM	#5
boogschd I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: ph Posts: 522 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Atlas77 I dont have any advice for you but I do have an off-topic question. How did you get those bars in your signature? Download AmitySource UserBar Generator - Freeware Software - Tucows __________________ Nikon D60 Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8 G Tamron AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD IF Nikon F60 Nikkor AF 28-80mm PSP-1006 Quote: Originally Posted by Vicelord John If you want to buy canon, get a printer, or a copier, or a scanner.

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