Experimenting with coloured backgrounds.

[Granddad]

Last week I posted a portrait of Dawn and received some suggestions that my stark white background was too distracting. Now I have a bit of time I've been working (new photo) on the basic tips that I was given (thanks to The Traveler in particular). C&C on how I did at this will be very welcome.

 

[jwilly1]

Last week I posted a portrait of Dawn and received some suggestions that my stark white background was too distracting. Now I have a bit of time I've been working (new photo) on the basic tips that I was given (thanks to The Traveler in particular). C&C on how I did at this will be very welcome.

I think the red background is very distracting. Just kidding! I like the color you chose for the background. If I'm being honest, my eye is immediately drawn to the white halo around her. I think you were maybe going for a pinup type of vintage feel? I don't know that I could do this, so take it for what is worth. I would maybe try to make a circular gradient behind her, almost as if you had a strobe pointed at a pink background immediately behind her so you get a circular white halo that gradually falls off to pink at the edges. If I couldn't do that, I might try a white to pink gradient from bottom to top? Or lastly, go for a solid background? I'm just distracted by the white following her shape all the way around. Again, I'm not trying to beat you up. That's just one man's opinion. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

 

[Braineack]

I like the pink color choice, but not the halo.

 

[tirediron]

Last week I posted a portrait of Dawn and received some suggestions that my stark white background was too distracting. Now I have a bit of time I've been working (new photo) on the basic tips that I was given (thanks to The Traveler in particular). C&C on how I did at this will be very welcome.

I think the red background is very distracting. Just kidding! I like the color you chose for the background. If I'm being honest, my eye is immediately drawn to the white halo around her. I think you were maybe going for a pinup type of vintage feel? I don't know that I could do this, so take it for what is worth. I would maybe try to make a circular gradient behind her, almost as if you had a strobe pointed at a pink background immediately behind her so you get a circular white halo that gradually falls off to pink at the edges. If I couldn't do that, I might try a white to pink gradient from bottom to top? Or lastly, go for a solid background? I'm just distracted by the white following her shape all the way around. Again, I'm not trying to beat you up. That's just one man's opinion. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Pretty much this exactly^^. I think the gradient idea would work very well, and this would be a very easy image in which to separate subject and background.

 

[Granddad]

Thanks guys, the same thought was hovering in the back of my mind.

Merry Christmas to you all.

 

[DanOstergren28 3]

You may want to consider adding some colored seamless rolls to your studio. This way you will avoid having to spend time editing them in, and you wont have to worry about getting that very unattractive halo around your model.

 

[tirediron]

You may want to consider adding some colored seamless rolls to your studio. This way you will avoid having to spend time editing them in, and you wont have to worry about getting that very unattractive halo around your model.

Or, just gel a background light.

 

[pixmedic]

OMG!
she reminds me of pauley perrette. (Abby on NCIS)
I am in love!

 

[DanOstergren28 3]

You may want to consider adding some colored seamless rolls to your studio. This way you will avoid having to spend time editing them in, and you wont have to worry about getting that very unattractive halo around your model.

Or, just gel a background light.

Not the same effect, but whatever suits your preference I guess.

 

[tirediron]

You may want to consider adding some colored seamless rolls to your studio. This way you will avoid having to spend time editing them in, and you wont have to worry about getting that very unattractive halo around your model.

Or, just gel a background light.

Not the same effect, but whatever suits your preference I guess.

In what respect?

 

[DanOstergren28 3]

You may want to consider adding some colored seamless rolls to your studio. This way you will avoid having to spend time editing them in, and you wont have to worry about getting that very unattractive halo around your model.

Or, just gel a background light.

Not the same effect, but whatever suits your preference I guess.

In what respect?

Using a solid colored seamless will give you a different look than simply geling a light and aiming it at the background. They look different.

 

[tirediron]

I suppose, but is it really significant? The convenience of being able to get virtually any colour (or multiple colours) from one roll of paper is a nice benefit when compared to the cost, storage and transport of many rolls.

 

[DanOstergren28 3]

I suppose, but is it really significant? The convenience of being able to get virtually any colour (or multiple colours) from one roll of paper is a nice benefit when compared to the cost, storage and transport of many rolls.

Ugh, whatever.

 

[tirediron]

I suppose, but is it really significant? The convenience of being able to get virtually any colour (or multiple colours) from one roll of paper is a nice benefit when compared to the cost, storage and transport of many rolls.

Ugh, whatever.

Sorry Dan, I'm not trying to be argumentative or discount your opinion, I'm quite genuinely curious as to what you see as the benefit to using actual coloured paper vice gelling. I grant there are subtle differences, but even if my own work, I generally have to look twice to remember if it's paper or gel.

 

[DanOstergren28 3]

Granddad, if you like the idea of colored backgrounds, like I said before you could consider getting some solid color seamless rolls. Not only do you get a colored background for portraits such as this, but it opens up your ability to use the seamless creatively in other ways (just as a gelled light may do the same in other ways, as I TRIED pointing out that it's based on the look and preference you are going for). I personally like simple 1 light studio setups, because they add a mood that for me works for creative portraits.

The band "Neon Trees" did a series of photos for their most recent album using colored seamless backgrounds, and the effect was really interesting and fun (In my personal opinion). I know it's a look that could only be achieved with a colored seamless, or some really good photoshop manipulations. A gelled background light would not give this same look, and in my opinion the colored seamless has a more organic look to it than a gelled background light.

As I said in my first post, it is only something to CONSIDER.