White Backdrop

[running70]

Hi There,

I use a Lastolite reversible collapsible black/white backdrop for my baby portrait photos and find that the white background never comes out pure white, it is usually tinged as a grey or pinkly colour. Do I need to change the settings on my camera or should I be able to change this in Photoshop afterwards?

I would appreciate all feedback

Gemma x

[Stemmy]

Go to Image/Adjust/Levels in photoshop

On the right you will see 3 eyedroppers - click the white one - then click your background.

Everywhere you click will be made white.

This is a good starting point.

Hope this helps

[running70]

Thanks for your helpful advice Stemmy. I'd just like to know if this is normal for a camera not to pick up a pure white colour or is there something wrong with my camera or settings? I have always found this to be a problem.

Many Thanks

[Stemmy]

What camera are you using Gemma.

Do you find the colour cast changes with different subjects ?

[running70]

I'm using a Canon 350D and I find that whatever colour the child is in it seems to reflect onto the backdrop but it doesn't always happen. It's just that the white isn't white it us always off white - grey or pinky. Should it come out a crisp white the first time round?

[Eastern_herp]

A white background will not be white unless it is lit with a light that is equal or more than what is falling on the subject. If you are just using the light that is illuminating the subject then it won't come out white as the light will have dropped off by the time it gets to the background.

[lostmysnorkel]

That'll do it - you can also do t through the 'Curves' adjustment layer. Again, select the 'White Point' dropper and click on the white background - this sets that shade as the white-point and pulls everything else into line. Tweak it with the curves.

To reduce your post-process time - you need to light the background itself, so that it is very slightly overexposed compared to the subject - that should make it come out white in the image.

[david_phil]

If you are using more then 1 flash unit try directing one, more ( not totally mind) towards the background than the subject. Adjust camera settings accordingly. This should give you a brighter backgound without much loss to the subject. Don't have the subject too far away from the background.