dark hair and dark backdrop...oops!

[bluebottomedfly]

I made the mistake of photographing my dark haired daughter against a black backdrop and not using a separation light.

There was actually quite a lot of light spilling on the background as I dont have a lot of space so it needs darkening to hide the creases, but obviously my daughter's hairline then disappears.

If I try blurring the background it looks streaky and messy.

I want to keep the pic as I like the pose.

Any ideas anyone?

Posting the pic so you can see the extent of the problem.

[carlb40]

Can't help with the editing. If you can, next time try and get more space between your daughter and the BG. It will make life easier for you :ok:

Nice pose BTW :)

[tenchy]

when doing this in the house, try and get yourself backed right up to the wall, subject as close as needs to be, then BG as far away as possible.

[bluebottomedfly]

I need a bigger house, I wonder if my hubby will agree to us moving so I can get more room :)

[Flyer]

Done this with Nik Viveza

[Flyer]

Now added some blur and a fairly strong vignette

[bluebottomedfly]

Oh thats nice, looks like shes in the spot light. Is this with PS?

[Jeremy S E Rundle]

I think you need an iron

[Flyer]

Oh thats nice, looks like shes in the spot light. Is this with PS?
Yes it's with photoshop plus the plugin for PS called Vivesa but it's quite expensive

[FlashBangWallop]

You're not too far out with the original, Blue

If you can get her a few more feet away from the backdrop (I know you said space was tight so look for a better one imho)
and flag the light from falling on it would be better
and as you mention a hair light with her hair already dark would be better
Flag it with cardboard or anything to stop the light spilling onto the back

Flyers lifted the subject nicely - but the background looks naff now

[carlb40]

Oh thats nice, looks like shes in the spot light. Is this with PS?

Nik do trials of their software - you get a 15 day trial for all of their software

http://www.niksoftware.com/

[bluebottomedfly]

Does this look any better? I dont mind her looking like shes sat on a curtain so long as its not too messy looking. What do you think?

[Flyer]

One final try I've "ironed" the backdrop as much as I can and played with the vignette slightly. If you're struggling to get what you want and the files not too big to email you could email it to me and I'll do the best I can for you, but if you want to persevere yourself no offence will be taken.

[carlb40]

Does this look any better? I dont mind her looking like shes sat on a curtain so long as its not too messy looking. What do you think?

That looks much better.
You can save yourself a lot of grief next time if you can iron the BG first? or get a dedicated one and keep it rolled up rather than folded

[tenchy]

now you have a good background and a good subject, time for some layers...

a quick edit layering the head from flyers onto your darker one. Needs more work but you get the idea

143053

[bluebottomedfly]

Thankyou Flyer, that would be great if you are sure you dont mind. Can I get your email address please?

I'll try to edit myself too, I'll try to get the plug in, and yes I will re-shoot, ironing the backdrop (I was hoping to avoid this) and I'll try introducing a hair light and a flag on the fill light.

Can I ask, when adding a hairlight, do I need to turn down the other 2 lights? Im wondering if it might all get a bit bright.

[tenchy]

Thankyou Flyer, that would be great if you are sure you dont mind. Can I get your email address please?

I'll try to edit myself too, I'll try to get the plug in, and yes I will re-shoot, ironing the backdrop (I was hoping to avoid this) and I'll try introducing a hair light and a flag on the fill light.

Can I ask, when adding a hairlight, do I need to turn down the other 2 lights? Im wondering if it might all get a bit bright.

no for the hairlight, a snoot is good, and meter back of head to be about same as keylight, or maybe lower, can't recall exactly now. (looks for backup...)

[Flyer]

My email is [googled away] I'm sure the mods will delete it once you acknowledge you've got it but it's not a problem as it's on several websites I author.

[bluebottomedfly]

Thankyou, just sending it now :)

[Flyer]

OK I'll take my time with it, it may be late tomorrow or even Sunday before I get it back to you as I've got quite a busy day on tomorrow.

[chaz]

I had a wee noodle, pity there was no hairlight though.

[bluebottomedfly]

Flyer, thats absolutely fine, thankyou so much.

Oh wow Chaz! How did you do that?

[chaz]

Duplicated the image then multiplied the layers then erased some of the opacity on the girl.

[oldgeezer]

Bit late I know.

[biglee33]

you do need distance from the bg, and maybe light with some spill reflectors to keep the light off the bg, i use thick black paper (old backdrop) and keep the light off the bg. have her a few feet away, and also get it tighter with clamps or iron it.
also lighting from the side is a good idea, and reflect light back in.