portraits

[jimaroo]

i just started taking portraits in my garage. my grandmother gave me a strobelight, and some other equipment.

so far my pics have been looking prety good, but i do need some help with some of the lighting.


i can do the dark backdrops, but not the lighter ones, if anyone cares to share any info that would help me, that would be awsome.


thanks

 

[steve817]

Do you just have the one light?

 

[bigfatbadger]

Get another light, point it at a white backdrop, make sure the light on the backdrop is one stop higher than your subject

 

[Alpha]

Color of the backdrop doesn't matter much. In fact I HATE white backgrounds. It's all a matter of personal preference.

 

[steve817]

Or if you are going for the high key look, try here.

http://www.ephotozine.com/techniques/viewtechnique.cfm?recid=195

 

[danalec99]

Use the best light in the world you have at your disposal.
Check this video by the Discovery Channel, featuring a Hollywood photographer, Kevyn Major Howard.

 

[Philip Weir]

Hi, If you posted more information, it would be helpful. Why do you think your shots look better on a dark background ?? What or how are you lighting the subject ?? Many questions arise, and not seeing your result makes it difficult to advise you. Look a other photographers portraits and by the shadows, you are able to ascertain the size and direction of the lighting they used, then try and copy it. Philip.