How does a photographer achieve this look? In the lighting or the post processing?

[pbrain]

I'm a relative noob to photography. I've done a few shoots to date, and can garner relatively a decent post production product. I really like the whitewash look of some photographs, I see it done a lot with newborn photos. How is this done? Is it in the lighting or in post processing?

 

[KmH]

The lighting. Low contrast (white washed look) is achieved with strong backlighting.

Often photographers use insufficient fill lighting from the front, and leave the subject badly under exposed.

 

[sactown024]

i dont see a photo.... weird

 

[pbrain]

i dont see a photo.... weird

I didn't include the photo because it is someone else's work. The effect I'm talking about is a pretty popular one for newborns.

 

[MLeeK]

Levels. Bring the black level up until you get the hazy look you like.

 

[manicmike]

I saw the picture before you took it down. It's the lighting like KmH said.

 

[sam250240]

I think it's both lighting and post processing. Use big soft lights. When the lighting is soft and shadowless, it's less contrasty and dramatic/more innocent, it generally works better with newborns.

 

[Vautrin]

You can do a lot of effects with lighting + photoshop. In addition, some software makers like Nik will sell software packages to allow you to achieve certain "looks" with the press of a button

The key with any "special effects" is to know what different sliders like contrast, saturation and black point do. Once you understand that, you'll look at a photo and think "oh they did ____"