Started with one light set-up and now want to expand

[o._wagner]

I started a small children's studio and want to expand my lighting. Right now

I'm just using a AB800 and a giant softbox. I'm using a white background and

am sick of photoshopping to get a true white.

 

Here are my questions:

 

Do I need one or two lights to light the background? (It's a very small space)

What do I put on my background light, a grid?

What do I set my background light at? My main light I'm using on 1/8 power and

generally 1/125 at f/8.

 

Thanks, I appreciate your help!

[ellis_vener_photography]

If you light the background from over head you can light a background evenly with one light -- but you need some space to do this well. You don't need a grid unless you want one.

[laughing buddha production]

You can probably just use one light on the b/g, but two is better. You should consider adding one more of your AB800's and use an umbrella to throw the light over a greater portion of the b/g. Shooting kid portraits - I think if you can either put it on a boom above and behind your subject or better, low behind your subject and aimed at the wall. But this latter method likely means you get your umbrella in the shot.

 

I think the umbrella will give you a much better spread of light for the b/g than just the reflector. A grid would be too restrictive I think. Another softbox would work also and help control spill.

 

Frankly two lights would be better, one on each side with umbrellas and v-flaps, but your studio sounds a bit small for that.

 

Exposure? I typically pump up the white b/g 2-3 stops over the main. Bear in mind that the light will be bouncing back at the camera and the back of the subject as well.

 

Hope this helps.