Background for "Miss Face" competition?

[deonholt]

Hi there and thank you for your help.


I need to do a shoot for a girl who is entering a "Miss Face" competition. From what I understand from the mom, the competition is all about the face. In the light of this, what colour background would you suggest? I was thinking of using my 1.2m Octobox as the background.
I will really appreciate some advice and pointers.


Regards,
Deon

 

[cgipson1]

Looks like the better shots are all white background, Single modifier broad lighting... at least that seems the most popular Press release for Miss Face of Africa Texas 2012 Pageant Competition. | NEWSPITTER. I assume you have access to better examples than that video, hopefully even a description of what the pageant wants?

The 1.2 meter brolly would be fine as a white background, as long as you carefully control the splash. I would use something larger personally, so I could stand the subject farther away from it... but you might be able to make it work. I would use something about that size in front too... for the key. Good luck!

 

[Big Mike]

The background should be chosen to match the subject's clothing, or vice versa (keying). The idea is that by matching (not exactly matched) the background and the clothing, you make the face the area of greatest contrast, which thus draws the viewer's eye. If the clothing doesn't match the background, it may stand out more than the face...and you don't want that, unless (of course) you are trying to sell clothes.

 

[TumbleweedPhoto]

First I would recommend checking with the girl to make sure there are no rules set up by the competition as to what color the background should be. Some organizations like to have a cohesive look amongst contestants while others have looser rules. I would take into account her skin tone. Lighter colors for a darker skin tones and darker colors for lighter skin tones, this will definitly make the face pop!