Background Light - how to set up?

lifeinfocus

Background light I understand is to make the subject more defined from the backdrop.

But how is it setup? Is it a light that is behind the subject and shining on the backdrop?

Thanks
Phi

ziggy53

A background light, or several, is typically used to properly illuminate the background. Properly illuminating the background can indeed provide some separation.

A hair light or rim/kicker/highlight light (sometimes a "backlight") is often used to provide separation of the subject from the background.

There is a rather nice video showing a number of these principles in practice, from Mark Wallace (some folks would consider this video NSFW):

http://youtu.be/IdcdWkc7xEI

More examples:

http://www.portraitlighting.net/Multilightb.htm

angevin1

lifeinfocus wrote: »

But how is it setup? Is it a light that is behind the subject and shining on the backdrop?

Thanks
Phi

Shining on the Back drop/Back Ground: Yes. Behind the subject? Not necessarily.

It depends on what you want the BG to look like and can also be determined by space requirements.

The fun part is experimenting. Set up your BG/BD and have fun lighting it in different ways for effect. Once you've done some playing, become more aware of having a Subject that then must be placed in front of the BG.

Set up a light and shoot thru: plants, colored glass, water and anything you can think of ~

Point your light source straight on, at angles, down, up, etc.

lifeinfocus

Thank You Much
I will be experimenting this week with your ideas and information provided, although the video sure has a lot of different lights and backgrounds to support. I will be more economical in my initial setup.

Thanks
Phil