Bright white background light | Take and Make Great Photography with Gavin Hoey

For many photographers, the perfectly smooth white walls of a large studio are just a dream. For those of us with small home studios or who travel, a white fabric background is a great budget alternative. But getting a low-cost fabric background perfectly white is a challenge. Luckily Gavin Hoey is here to help.
In this video, Gavin takes you through why you need to light a white background, how not to do it and how he gets spotless, clean white backgrounds every time with only the smallest amount of Photoshop or Lightroom tweaks.
Products Used:
Olympus E-M1 Mark iii
www.adorama.com...
Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro
www.adorama.com...
Flashpoint eVOLV 200 Pro
www.adorama.co...
Flashpoint R2 Pro Transmitter
www.adorama.co...
Sekonic L-308X-U
www.adorama.co...
Glow 8' x 16' Background
www.adorama.co...
Flashbender Large
www.adorama.co...
_________________________________________________________________
Follow Gavin on Instagram
/ thegavinhoey
Model
/ charlotte_ameliaax
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#whitebackground #studiolighting #postprocessing

[@piotradamczyk3177]

In Gavin's videos the most important thing for me is that he makes all the errors at the beginning and step by step he explains what to do to get the final effect he wants. Gavin, you rock!!!

[@braadonja]

Gavin, I love you. You are the best presenter on YT.

[@alexanderpons9246]

Oh wow, so many people don't have the space in what they call STUDIO so this is a fantastic video where it show us how to go about it the best way possible within the constrains of space. Thank you Gavin Hoey for showing us the solution to situations and for loving Photography and share so much through this channel!

[@kenspo]

Even as a professional, I love the videos with Gavin. They are relaxing to watch!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Kenneth 👍

[@DONNYLAI95]

Gavin's the most underrated photography guru ever... Learnt a lot of things from his videos... Huge thanks man...

[@wesjones6370]

Another easy way if you have a large soft box and/or are doing close up portraits, is to just use the soft box of the backlight as the white background. Essentially it will do the same as this. Initially I set up a background in my home studio using a massive painter sheet I found at the dollar store. It was white and diffused the light fairly nicely. I stuck my 48 in octagon soft box behind it, stretched it right across my backdrop frame and had a cheap and simple pure white background. I also found some white sheer curtains to add in front so I could shoot soft window style portraits using this setup.

[@StumblethroughProductions]

Just wanted to give a shoutout to the guy making these videos. Really helpful

[@randymyers8600]

Even though I don't do this kind of shooting very much, I always enjoy watching Gavin and hearing him explain step by step what he is doing. It takes out all the mystery about lighting that most people have about the subject. Big thumbs up to Gavin.

[@iqueque]

Two critical components, it seems. Multiple flashes and an experienced model. I really appreciate how Charlotte poses, seemingly with little direction from Gavin.

[@barkyvonschnauzer2188]

Gav' has done it again. Thanks mate.

[@RawloftheDead]

I love your videos. You always do simple step by step tutorials. I had a feeling it was gonna be 2 lights on the side when you first started. The flag was the only thing I didn't consider so thank you again

[@lianaoptionstrading8362]

You are so nice, I like your videos, and models are not distracting and humble. thx subscribed

[@specta316]

Love this, very educative for even newbies like us

[@carlawalker7752]

Thank you fashion models. You take us away from our problems and leed us into fantasy

[@BecomingAlexondria]

Yesss Charlotte!!!🥰 Amazing Tutorial

[@alexmaranon584]

Great tips Gavin, as always. Thank you!

[@mortini185]

OK... here's a comment BLOW. Love your instructional videos. Just amazing what you do in your Small Home Studio... really. Muy bien Gavin

[@tommino8970]

9:22 Gorgeous shot, light, shadows/gradient, black and color in the middle. I love it!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Tom. The Magnum reflector worked wonder here for sure 👍

[@tommino8970]

@@GavinHoey I have to buy one, Daniel Norton recommended it too and it seems to be different do beauty dish.

[@GavinHoey]

@@tommino8970 Very different to a beauty dish. It's a tool I use infrequently but when it works it rocks!

[@mhc2b]

Best advice I've ever found for creating a "255" background without going too bright. Specifically, metering the background from the subject's back to match the chosen f/stop for the main subject. I believe you've mentioned this technique in previous videos also. I also utilize a Sekonic meter in the studio. Also, I believe I've heard Mark Wallace and Daniel Norton give you credit for this technique in their own videos.

[@beachbum4691]

"Metering the background from the back of the neck of the subject" Nup I must have missed it, great technique = fantastic :)

[@buksvanstaden8358]

Thanx Gavin, good structured stepwise logic towards the shoot goal. One question though:- Please explain how to get a pure white background for a full length shot in the small home studio? Regards. Buks

[@richardmendoza4389]

Excellent tutorial & well explained. Gavin always has great videos & seems to have fun while making them. Hats off to you, sir!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Richard. The day I stop having fun making Adorama TV videos is the day I stop making them 😉

[@omarello666]

Gavin Hoey is my Favorite

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Thank you, Gavin! Very handy tips as always, and your results are excellent.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Mike 👍

[@GhananiePhotography]

very very informative. my studio is as small as this

[@sumannazre9537]

learning so much from you. A guru in true sense 🙏 Thank you

[@250GTOAJ]

Great video, Thanks Gavin and Charlotte!

[@nitinb9202]

That's great explained. First to determine what goes wrong to achieve what is required.

[@GavinHoey]

Knowing why lighting doesn't work is the building blocks of making a repeatable, successful lighting set-ups. In other words... the more you fail, the better you become 😉

[@michaelschmitt5413]

Thanks AGAIN !!! Always good stuff.

[@visualbox7191]

Excellent tutorial ..... thank you Gavin sir

[@paulbell9957]

Beautfiul work again Gavin 😊👍

[@johnleighdesigns]

brilliant yes great stuff - i do exactly this - much to models annoyance! after using other backgrounds for shots such as black or coloured I go back and forth with the lights power and positioning plus modifiers as i strive for that clean white background!

[@GavinHoey]

Hi John. Nailing a clean white background without loosing contrast on your subject is hard enough, but in a small space telling you model they can't step back adds another level to the challenge.

[@CononBarrett]

Awesome as always 🏆

[@waltereaton6404]

Some great advice!!! Thanks!

[@artsandeducation7716]

Great lesson Gavin ........Thanks ......

[@Alex_science]

Hi Gavin. As always, a great video!! Congrats!

[@chowdryashfaq342]

Inspite of pandemic you are taking so much effort in creating the great videos.. Lots and lots of thanks and good wishes to you from Chowdry Photography, Bangalore, India.. Stay Safe. God Bless.

[@monsterwerksvideo]

I'm going through all your videos and creating assignments for me to practice with Emma, my new mannequin model (your video on using mannequins clinched the decision to buy her, plus two wigs). These videos are so amazing!

[@mickue]

Again a superb video! Thank you so much

[@stefano_campani]

Gavin you always are fantastic! :)

[@zenphotojourney]

Fun video to watch as always. Keep up the good work.

[@24thclassiccinema]

Excellent shoot Mr.Gavin.

[@JohnChubbSr]

Awesome perfection!

[@marcinnnification]

As always, you are The Best!

[@teleking58]

Always the best!

[@brenewedwellness]

Great video thank you! Also let's talk about how Charlotte was giving the whole time🥰 h2t

[@alanroderick7153]

Great video. Loved the Subscribe banner placement - top marks !

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Alan. Charlotte thought I was mad.. you have to have vision 😉

[@xKellogsx]

This video taught me so much. But I am wondering how you got the front to meter the same as behind. Was there a main light on this whole time?

[@loihpatli]

Great one! Thanks Gavin!

[@officialtdotfilmsnc]

Love the video!

[@garynorris4648]

Superb .. as always.

[@TheKingsOutlaw]

I love your videos. I find them perfectly practical. Why did you dim the ambient lights on the last part of the video?

[@maddyvoldy]

I have a single light and was wondering why isn't my white background turning pure white... this explains it. Thanks a lot, Gavin.

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Naveen. For this sort of shot two flashes is the minimum. There are ways of getting a white background with a single flash and lighting your model with bounced light but the results are very odd indeed

[@dunnymonster]

Always producing entertaining and educational content, keep up the great work 👍

[@Petukbhai838]

Really a very interesting and Efficient vdo tutorial...indeed Dear Sir!! I hv a question in this regard!! When u do use your Light Meter plz do disclose the Flash Intensity Number, whether its 1/1 or what?? e.g. light meter show required f/5.6, i have come to know that but before using light Meter how much Intensity u kept of those 2 flashes for backdrop illumination i did not come to know!!

[@SMPCA_Academy]

What if I don’t have a fabric background?

[@martinconrad9260]

YAY! The slogan is back!!!!!

[@GavinHoey]

Pre-Lockdown shoot Martin but... plans are being worked on for new location portrait shoots next month 😊

[@blaed011]

@@GavinHoey Outside would work well. You'll get great pictures and you and model will stay safe. Looking forward to those videos!

[@martinconrad9260]

@@GavinHoey Ah, well, it was good to hear it, nevertheless! I *do* tend to forget that KZbin videos sometimes take time to edit and post. Glad to hear that you and yours are staying safe and healthy! Can't wait for the "true" return!

[@robinprichard9200]

Thanks Gavin. That was really engaging.

[@josegeraldoresendeboaventu2274]

very good... thanks for this video.

[@fash2314]

Hi Gavin, Can you please make one video on Food Photography and with One basic Light setup. (DIY lighting preferred with speedlite) thank you

[@amalsubhagan2010]

It’s great 👍

[@6wix6]

Fantastic

[@WorldMusicStageRecords]

Another great video. Would you ever use LED lights for the background with barn doors to control light spillage? Thanks

[@ManmadeMartin]

Brilliant! Thank you 👌

[@charliethebubbles]

Nice one Gavin.

[@MBSKanal]

Thanks Gavin, very good tutorial. Question: Why are you most of the time shoot portraits in ISO 200 and not lower? Any specific reason for this?

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Marty. Good question. For Olympus cameras the native ISO is 200. In theory that's the best quality although in reality ISO100 and ISO400 are more or less the same. The bonus for me is, shooting at ISO200 means I use the flashes at half the power needed for 100ISO. So I get faster recycle time, shorter flash duration and as I'm making my battery last twice as long, I'm sort of saving the planet one shot at a time 👍

[@pattymattes7124]

Another great video from a master. Thank you! I do have a question. Would I get the same result if I put reflector bowls on both the lights that are hitting the background or should I just bare bulb them and use flags?

[@shifteleven]

I vote "try it". But my guess is that you may not have enough room for the light to spread up and down and to the sides. And if you don't want a Flashbender, get some white foam board at the store and flag it that way.

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Patty. As is so often the case, the answer is... it depends. A reflector controls the spread of the light, stopping it hitting your subject, bouncing off coloured walls and maximising the flash power. But you need more distance between the flash and background to give the flash room to spread and evenly cover at least half the background. If I was photographing something small like one of Daniel's little friends, a reflector would be perfect but for people sized shots, I don't have the space for reflectors to work.

[@pattymattes7124]

@@GavinHoey I don't have the space either so I'll try bare bulb with some cardboard or something I can flag with. Thank you very much and I have enjoyed your live sessions!

[@joshuagharis9017]

I like flashbender idea, use reflector myself. But I may try the flash bender

[@markpatterson2718]

Strike or fair ball if its basket ball whats the call ? well where would i use this style ? its not boudior or lovegrove ! but its sportie and i love this style galvin always comes thru for me : So he knocked it out ofthe park thumbs up

[@ramyahmed787]

amazing

[@crazydude5624]

Great 👍 thanks man !

[@jcblum1507]

incredible videos as always, but I have a question the high light alert does not tell me that the photo lost information and im burn the photo, my hight lights are lost?

[@kevinpaullawrence79]

The silhouette looks so nice, coupled with her pose

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Kevin 👍

[@brad_in_yyc]

Now, I know it's a small studio. I think you've said approx 30 feet in length before. But, would it work to move the background forward and throw a light behind it? Because it looks like it may be able to be used as a scrim? I could be completely wrong. But if you had something like that, would that work? Thereby eliminating the need for one light? And it should be able to silhouette her if it's pointed at the camera, right? Or would you get a bright circle and inverse square coming into play and giving you a gradient or vignette falling off from the center? Maybe I should just try it myself haha.

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Brad. Yes that's perfectly possible but not in the space I have. Dig around on Adorama TV and you'll see me do that on a small scale with my water splash work. Alternatively the Lastolite Hilight does exactly what you suggest but in a much smaller space www.adorama.com/lshb67.html

[@JEANESTEVEZREVIEW]

ERES MUY BUEN INSTRUCTOR, ME GUSTAN TODOS LOS VIDEOS QUE HACES PARA INSTRUIRNOS

[@aramb]

Informative, as always. Fun to see where the subscribe button will show up next!

[@GavinHoey]

Well done for making it to the end Ron 😁

[@TheNaturaltay]

Thanks for the informative video. Did you put the background lights in a different group and the subject lights?

[@GavinHoey]

It's essential to split the background lights and subject light into separate groups. You could also put the two background lights into two groups if they different light types or not evenly spaced.

[@vampyrevenom]

I've learnt a lot from watching your videos, even though I don't currently own any flash (excluding my cameras built in flash) my main problems with portraits at the moment (using myself as a model) are the fact that I'm a larger model with extremely pale skin (I'm paler than every ginger person I've met) but I am improving, if slowly (still life and photoshop skills are improving quicker though)

[@hlk466]

oh you sound like a solid black background would be beautiful with your skin and hair. Im not a pro but I always see people talking about CTO filter to warm skin tone. although I dont know how effective that would be with on camera flash. maybe a cheap gold reflector if you want a warm glow? like have directional sun behind u and use the reflected light from the gold as your main light source? also for photoshop I found a great channel. I dont know if I have my video saves public but its PIX something in the name. he is SO detailed and explains it well for beginners

[@tarikk1973]

i like your job

[@joshuagharis9017]

If they're wearing white, the back of them should be a stop under where you're shooting at. Ie shooting f8 the background reading on back of subject should be f5.6

[@simeonzanechambers2430]

Thank You 🙏🏾

[@raemilTorino]

Hey Gavin, or anyone that is able to reply. I just wanted to confirm, are you exposing the background light so that the histogram is clipped to pure white?

[@winni223]

Thank you Gavin! Did you eventually end up with the small octagon that appeared at the beginning and the end for the key light? I just did not catch that, the beam of light is rather narrow.

[@GavinHoey]

I did eventually use the Octabox. You had to go all the way to at least 7:26 when you'll spot it in the top right corner 👍

[@winni223]

@@GavinHoey Thanks a lot! ;)

[@lifestylestudio5696]

Your tutorial veri nice

[@fuji3164]

Hey Gavin any idea how to achieve white backgrounds with only 1 light.

[@josediazh3890]

Muchas gracias.

[@beachbum4691]

Between 09-12 & about 09-32, the fun of this "high-techo" shoot becomes visible, Just so many hidden lessons. Such really useful insight :) Gavin, "You're just too useful too often" But already subscribed here, and I did remember to hit that little bell to get emails of new vids... Thanks, Mate :) //// To others, see other really useful/helpful/comments below, goodonya'-all & "B'-Subscribe" John=Australia ;)

[@burhan1211]

Hi Mr Gavin, can you give me some tips, how to remove folding reflector wrinkle?

[@lisapalzer2511]

Thanks!

[@guerradigital]

Saludos desde CdMx

[@DiviPhotos]

Cool video

[@ChrisConnop]

Great tutorial as normal :-)

[@ketsiaplaza1976]

Are you able to use one light to light up the background?

[@MarcelloBranca]

wow

[@brendadelorespoole565]

The background listed under the video is Glow Super Collapsible Background - 8 x 16' (White) does not look like the one used in the video? Can you actually tell me what background you actually used in this video?

[@alixwato377]

great video, came here straight from the food lighting one, felt odd without Sam... Great work

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Alix. Sam was there, even if you couldn't hear her 😉

[@lordr9485]

Thanks

[@Carpmenblog]

Gavin, are you UK 🇬🇧 based.?

[@reedgustow1310]

I like to use a clothes steamer to get rid of wrinkles on my cloth popup background.

[@MichaelMRoth]

Why not use a background with an included light source like Manfrotto HiLite? The setup seems to be much simpler.

[@Kodak54]

Is this the same background shown in the Adorama link? If it's the same, does that mean the sweep on the one in the link is detachable?

[@GavinHoey]

The one in the link isn't the same as mine, it's much better! Mine is old, strained and doesn't have a train... Actually why didn't I just buy that one!