8 Different Ways to Create Stunning Backgrounds for Cinematic Headshot.

[@TheWay-up777]

What time of day are you doing outdoor portraits? Such as pillars with colored strobes?

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

Just a reminder to anyone who wants to use a projector. Don't use DLP projectors, get the 3-LCD types. DLP causes a lot of banding issues at even moderate shutter speed.

[@andrejames9066]

Greetings from Trinidad WI. Thanks for sharing.

[@lhd7105]

I tried to do a little indoor Dylan Thomas style photos in 2017 and I was greatly inspired by Rafal. And I found that light spillage is uber incompatible with ideas like projectors. So when I first started with with reflecting or shoot through umbrellas in a room all in while, the light just bounced everywhere, thus washing out the white wall where the projector should have lit up vividly. I finally recently picked up some decent Godox SB-UE gridded softboxes so I might try things out again. I may have bought one size too big though, I went for the more recent 120cm-size, instead of the 95cm / 80cm that were out earlier a couple years ago. But I hope that, thanks to the grid, it won't spill any worse than the smaller ones (fingers crossed). If you are making your own studio out of a basement or what have you, definitely think about painting most of the walls that might bounce light into something, at the very least, as dim or dimmer than than 18% grey. This sort of wall is also perfect for keeping your eyes accurate when you do post processing in the room in photoshop or what have you. All in all, the color of the walls can be a photographer's friend if chosen with care.

[@SiobhanTaylor]

Stunning work, thanks for sharing.

[@fraensemeier-fotografie]

Hey Rafal, thanks for sharing knowledge! Did you manage to produce a vlog about how to create backgrounds with gels and (did you say water)colour? I have no clue how you might do it... do you layer the gels and cut them out in patterns? Especially the ones in this video at 11:52 and 12:00, are these created with gels or are these on-location somewhere? Thanks in advance, Cheers

[@Jimmy_Cavallo]

The 6 examples at 5:00 all just truly exceptional. Can you please tell me approximately how far are they from these backgrounds.?? I just saw a few of your BTS shots which appear to be set up in your living room possibly. It seems that the models are about 4-5 feet from the backgrounds that you made yourself and the bokeh seems quite extreme for those small distances. Are they all done in layers in PS.?? Thank you for the great content. 🤟🏼

[@D4ni3lS4nk3]

Hi Raph, thanks for do this blog videos, you know i use canon, so i the nikon way isnt gonna do much for me (even when is just great), i have a heavy doubt, i hope you can give me some opinion, advice or something, first let me explain my "problem", i know the nikon 70-200 breaths to the short end at close distance, the canon also does it but to the oposite side, to the longer end, i fear i would not be able to get the dylan patrick backgroud blur is the lens does not archieve more or less the same focal length, that holds me back to get the canon 70-200 f2.8, im thinking... maybe the canon 135 f2? What do you think?

[@aly0705]

Thank you so much, your work is so inspirational and you are very kind to share your knowledge!

[@redappletv222]

Thank for sharing a very informative video. Where is the link of Dylan Patrick tutorial that you mentioned. Cannot be found in the link. Thanks.

[@hagarthehorrible1391]

Tutorial on FStoppers website. You'll have to purchase it.

[@808dms]

How’s it going Rafael! Great video! I’m just curious, what kind of lighting & modifiers do you use to light the subject and how many lights? Also the lens / aperture that you use?

[@vinhtieu3384]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Rafael. Very inspiring and makes me want to try out soon. I’ve been doing hi-key primarily, but am trying to get into more environmental portraits this year. I bought a Lightblaster and have been meaning to use it instead of a projector, which allows more control over output and being able to overpower the ambient light. I will try and get some slides made of my town here, Ottawa, which I think would be a great idea for real-estate agents, etc.

[@artandadventurerv]

Is there a cheap projector that you recommend?

[@julius1972100]

Greetings from the Philippines.. Simply amazing and stunning headshots Sir. I just want to know your favourite lenses for these shots? Is it the 85 1.4 or maybe 135 1.8? Thank you sir... you are an inspiration to my budding photography career

[@vimalneha]

Very good points for enthusiasts like me. I learned something good.

[@ericleszkowicz898]

You have inspired me to start working with the projector again

[@andrewamaniWD]

Hi! Thanks for sharing your work. As a photography who is trying to find my way, I appreciate you for sharing your experience in shooting this style of headshot photography. I’m in the same position and if you don’t mind, I would like to share my experience viewing your pictures for the first time. I think a lot of your pictures are beautifully done. Your shaping of light truly showcases your artistry. I wasn’t crazy about some of your backgrounds. Some over powered the subject to the point that it became the subject. I think it really worked, for me, when the light on the background was shot at a low light but that is my preference. Otherwise, really beautiful.

[@steveyinasia]

Excellent information, I recently built a small home studio and will be testing out some of your ideas. I do have a projector so I think it will be first.

[@lhd7105]

Rafel I just want to say that I am so happy you took these creative directions beyond what Dylan showed us, it's very inspiring. Rafel, may I ask if you are using any sort of beauty filters or beauty dish or anything like that? I just thought maybe you are using Pro-mist or something because there's a soft and filmic feeling to your photos. Or is it a digital procedure that you do? Inquiring minds wants to know! :-)

[@wetappocreek]

The model's clothing seems to match/compliment the background in every shot....so how do you manage to achieve this....w/ gels? Edit in PS? pre-planning? Love your work and Thank You for sharing!

[@sammadonline]

Dylan Patrick and you are both very inspirational. I am copying both of you in my work.

[@epradeep]

Another informative video.. Thanks Rafal. The availability of a projector might not be possible all the time, a good alternative would be the light-blaster, where you could even project your own 35mm slides on the wall.

[@TheWay-up777]

How do you feel about green screen portraiture?

[@a-muse6567]

You said you were going to make another video to show your gels, and I would love to see the before and after: the boring wall you had to work with, and the image you made from it. I would also love to see some pull back images, a second shooter capturing you at work!

[@RafalWegiel]

Thank You for watching and your comment... I will definitely work on all your request ...I know its not an excuse but I am still new to KZbin and I am trying my best to show all the angeles of my work. Anyways I will create another vlog on gels as soon as I can and I am working on hiring someone to shoot when I work...stay tuned I am on it.

[@tmhart43]

Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us. Can you tell me how far the subject might have to be from a piece of art to blurb the background when shooting 100mm at 2.8? Most people don’t have a lot of room in their homes.

[@RafalWegiel]

Thank You for watching and its my pleasure to share my knowledge. Everything depends on the background but in my experiences You have start with at least couple meters... everything depends where You shooting ..if You don't have much space then You can also blurred the background in post processing. I hope that will help..please let me know if You have any additional questions.

[@eoslove2022]

Calgary! We live 1000Km north of you and face the same weather issues as they impact our headshot biz.

[@StevenWayneJones]

Great content Rafal!! What are you charging for these type headshots?

[@RafalWegiel]

Please check my website You can find all the information there. www.rafalwegiel.com

[@StevenWayneJones]

@@RafalWegiel thanks!! That helps!!

[@amkmusic100]

Great video. Your photo's are stunning. Thanks!!!!

[@paulbernardi2597]

Great lesson Rafal! Thanks for sharing.

[@TANZANIAFILMMAKINGTV]

Wht the name of ur inspiration??? Or his contact?? Information ?

[@RafalWegiel]

OPPMEDIA TV Dylan Patrick/ Christian Webb/ Peter Hurley.

[@TANZANIAFILMMAKINGTV]

Rafal Wegiel thanks bro

[@khall187]

Starts at 4:49 BLAH BLAH BLAH

[@doggoTvs]

thx lol

[@blacklitespecial]

OMG, I was thinking the same exact thing.

[@Rumba0526]

Hi! What type of customer do you have?

[@Rumba0526]

Hi, what type of customer do you usually have?

[@FranklinLiranzo]

very informative and useful information... thank you!

[@RichardSowell]

Rafal, Outstanding work and instructions as usual

[@RafalWegiel]

Thank Yo Richard. Much appreciate it.

[@kobaltowasowa5366]

Super filmik, bardzo przydatne porady.

[@pitmanra]

Hey, there's the Camera Store guy at 15:09.... Also, I don't understand the criticism of your microphone. I think it sounds fine. Helpful video. Thanks.

[@kalpeshmodi4293]

Great detailed information Rafal.

[@RafalWegiel]

Thank You!

[@MilanZadina]

any tips for cowork with makeup artist for male/female ?

[@RafalWegiel]

Milan Zadina I will be doing a Vlog tomorrow about that topic... so stay tuned.

[@osarobooke-nathaniel6556]

Thank you so much for sharing. You've really helped me.

[@nagual2335]

Thank you, really cool video. inner composition in PS can open some really wide creative space too :)

[@RafalWegiel]

Thank You...Yes Ps can be another huge thing to explore when it come to backdrops...

[@erre333]

Hello Rafal. I have couple of question if you don't mind. what focal range you shoot at? or what would be the ideal focal length for this shoots? is it 70-200? at 130 mm or all 200 mm? do you light your backgrounds? or is it only ambient light? thank you very much. Great pictures BTW. i love them all. You got me inspired to do head shoots and i think I'm getting the hang of it. Thank you very much.

[@RafalWegiel]

Most of the time I shoot 130- 200 range depends on the location. Yes I light my background most of the time except parks and places where the background is really far. Thank You for kind words I am glad you like my work ... please send me link to your work would love to check it out.

[@erre333]

Thank Rafal for the quick response. This is my isntagram page. instagram.com/errevizualart/

[@agustintashtv]

Awesome!

[@good4sound]

Wow!

[@amritstudiomandi1148]

sir how to light two person

[@ivicarozankovic1291]

Please, do invest in a new and of a more quality MICROPHONE to produce just a notch better sound in your videos. That poor sound definitely puts many people off. You have an interesting subject and one would sometimes like to watch some of your videos even more than once.. But going all over again through this painful and scratchy sound, just like a nightmare, DUDE! Please, if you have decided to share your experience and knowledge with the rest of the world, do give us a quality product, which we can enjoy! Sorry for being so blunt in front of the world, but you’d be having more subscribers on a daily basis, if you decided to do so, thus benefiting us, ALL. And of course my sympathies also go to Dylan, to recover as quicly as possible! Keep on filming!

[@RafalWegiel]

First of all Thank You for your comment and watching the vlog. Honestly when I started doing those vlogs I would never expected people will be even interested watching them so I was doing them with my small point and shoot camera but the fact is I have the good mic and gear to produce better quality videos... so from now on I am switching to better gear and I can assure You the next vlogs will have better picture and sound :) Thank You for your feedback ..sometimes I need honest opinion to get things going so THANK YOU!!!

[@ivicarozankovic1291]

Just one more thing! Try also using more than one song, probably with more dynamic to it, i.e. beat. OK, this might be personal preference, but than again, song does set the mood of the video, doesn‘t it. At least, having more than one song would be benefitial, I guess. In my humble opinion, you have a really top of the line product and want to tell us about it.. Yep, apply better approach to your making of videos and you‘re on the way to gather those subscribers out there! All the luck!

[@smdvisionphotography]

If you're looking for graffiti. Next time come to East Williamsburg aka Bushwick Brooklyn NYC.

[@muhammadmushtaq427]

Rafal ! your pictures are really good but your presentation really need improvement. You are just talking talking and talking, leaving people to depend upon their imagination to understand. You SHOULD use the visuals form the real shoot to make your presentation powerful.