Background light

[plastii]

Hi.

I was wondering what kind of light to use to achieve this kind of effect - for business portraits.

Thanks

http://www.hodginsphotography.com/site/wp-content/gallery/business-portraits/business3_0.jpg

 

[Derrel]

Position a flash head aimed straight at the background, with the flash's reflector about the mid-back height of the subject, or perhaps very slightly lower. Using a smaller reflector like a 5.5 to 7 inch reflector, with the flash head reasonably close to the background material, you will naturally create a graduated fall-off in the light on the background. Depending on the flash system you may, or may not, need to add a honeycomb grid to the flash head; it kind of depends on the flash.

 

[benhasajeep]

Also the same effect can be done with Photoshop with a fully lit background.

Deppends on if you want to do it the traditional way or the digital way.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Also the same effect can be done with Photoshop with a fully lit background.

Deppends on if you want to do it the traditional way or the digital way.

yeah, but the real way always looks better.

 

[plastii]

Thanks for the info - do I have to use flash? Can I use spot light or flood light?

 

[Big Mike]

No, it doesn't have to be flash...but if you are using flash/strobe as your main light, then it might be more of a challenge to match the exposure and WB of the main/fill lights to the background light.

If you are using the same type of continuous lights for all your lighting, then it would be easier to balance...but IMO, that is not the best way go about shooting portraits....flash/strobe is much better.