White backgrounds???

Nicci

Nicci

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Not sure if this is the right place to post, but why are portrait togs using off white backgrounds???.

I had some shots of my kids done and the white background drains all the colour from their faces, they have still got a tan from being overseas, but look whiterthan bloody milk on the pictures, lol.

Thanks

Nicci
 
Nicci said:
Not sure if this is the right place to post, but why are portrait togs using off white backgrounds???.

I had some shots of my kids done and the white background drains all the colour from their faces, they have still got a tan from being overseas, but look whiterthan bloody milk on the pictures, lol.

Thanks

Nicci
Click to expand...

sounds like they were poorly taken then. the white background wont be at fault here, the photographer will
 
Hi Nicci

I think you are talking about the various opinions surrounding "high key" portraiture:

If you light a subject but don't light the white background, you'll get a grey background

If you put lights on the white background several stops brighter than the subject you'll get a white background. There can be technical problems with lighting the white background. If there is light fall off from the background lights, you can find white behind the subject and grey round the edges. You can also light the background so hard and in such a direction as you can get unwanted reflections off the backdrop directly into the lens.

...but I suspect you have none of these. There is a purist view of high key that says there should be no dark colours. The photographer can over expose the subject a little to take away the colour saturation and make the subject look nice a pastel. This can make for quite a modern look and does indeen look nice on a wall.

Sadly, some clients (possibly you included), just want a white background and a properly exposed subject giving rich colours - and to them the classic "high key" look just looks washed out and overexposed.

We normally do a couple of each style at the beginning of a set and ask the client which they prefer and setup for that. If the pace of the set allows for it, we shoot at least one of each style for each pose to give us options.

Next time you have a portrait session with a white background, it's probably worth you having a chat with the photographer about your expectations and requirements.

Steve
 
I would have asked for a different background, unfortunatly they were school portraits, so was unable to, It probably doesnt help that their uniform is black. Ah well, they are up on the wall now.

Thank you for the explanations :)
 
I'm surprised an event photographer used high key because there are so many issues with it - not least of which is the chance that you're gonna get subjects with dark hair or skin, or even a black school uniform (which he ought to have know before hand).

Having a mottled grey background is more usual for such events because it takes less lights and can give nice shots across a greater range of subject colours clients' preferences.

If you book a portrait session with a portrait photographer you'll have a very different experience. School photographers are normally under a great deal of pressure and set for general requirements once at the beginning of the day. Portrait photographes will normally take account of the subjects colour, shape, clothes and preferences...but it normally costs more.

Sorry you had a bad experience.

Steve
 
You have no need to appologise, my dad is an ex proffesional photographer, he did all my school portraits much to my horror, lol. Usually the company that did them use a blue background, this is the first time they used an off white back, maybe they are experimenting.

The thing is parents will buy the photo's regardless as it is a school photo and hence gets sent to almost every member of the family.

I have experimented with the photo and managed to do it as an oil painting which has brought colour into their faces, just need to find some one to print it in A3 for me, lol.

Thank you for your advice and knowledge

Nicci
 
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