Colorama and Manfrotto together have close to 100 different colors and shades of background paper and from time to time we are asked which one to choose when shooting portraits and fashion images. Skilled photographer Lindsay Adler talks about which two backgrounds she uses as standard when photographing models.
Part of a fashion photographer's job is to ensure that the model's skin tone is best represented, especially when working with skincare or makeup brands. Choosing the right photo background and lighting are two main elements to get successful fashion photos. Complementing your model's skin tone with a background shade that enhances, without distracting from her/his features, is a great way to enhance a natural beauty concept.
Start by choosing the right paper background, then adjust the tone/hue of the background by changing your backlighting and post-production process. This way you can get an even and for your model flattering background shade that complements the model's skin tone.
Take portrait photographer Lindsay Adler's advice and tips to choose suitable paper backgrounds that highlight your model's features and create images suitable for different types of marketing assignments and campaigns.
All backgrounds change character depending on how much light hits them. By pointing light directly at the background, you can easily vary the intensity of the background color to quickly find a tone that suits your model and the nature of the photo assignment.
In the very informative video by Lindsay Adler, she uses a studio flash shot through a large diffuser as the main light. This gives an even, nice light on the model. By varying the distance between background and model, the main light will illuminate the background with different intensity and thus produce different results.
By adding two studio flashes with umbrellas aimed at the background, Lindsay gives the paper background even lighting that she can easily vary in strength and thus the intensity and tone of the background.
For the model with lighter skin, Lindsay often uses Colorama Caramel (in the video, the corresponding color from Savage, Beige is used).With different lighting of the background, different results can be achieved.
For the model with darker skin, Lindsay often uses Colorama Cardamon (in the video, the corresponding color from Savage, Cocoa is used).With different lighting of the background, different results are achieved.
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About Lindsay Adler:
Specializing in beauty and fashion photography, Lindsay is an award-winning photographer/director and renowned photographic educator. From her base in New York, she has traveled the world shooting for iconic beauty products and producing material for high-end high-end publications. Lindsay is known for her clean, bold and graphic style. Driven by her passion for being a visual problem solver and her love for creative collaboration, she constantly strives to evolve her technique and style.