Grey background lighting tips and tricks -- Quick Shots 08

[johnfrankstylist1]

excellent!!!! thank you

[miyatacn]

Thanks a lot, going to buy one grey right now.

[SeanPee911]

thanks alot gavin helped me alot!

[9eyephotography]

Very helpful video Gavin! little things like the tip about the placement of that soft box in your video that will make a MAJOR difference in the way I will be shooting from now on. Thanks

[captfilk]

thank you

[AlainAnhTruong]

Gavin, for the white background look, you pointed the back light at the background, right?

[alexcraig1]

great video, you're very a good people person, it can be seen by your models attitude, I have found it can be tricky with models lol.

[mainegirl1985]

I just got a lighting kit today they are all steady lights 2 of the are the white umbrella, and the other one is a gold reflecting umbrella...I was wondering if you have a video about the gold reflecting umbrella??

[jsomby]

Thank you for nice tutorial.

[urtalking2me]

thanks for this vid :) 3.

[stipsazg]

You are scaring the child with that soft box. lol

[Androcentus]

Thanks timjonasd

[MsRocco3]

Thanks Gavin.....

[Androcentus]

Can anyone please tell me what lens was he using in this video? Thank you!

[timjonasd]

@Androcentus 24- 105 f4 i think

[ShotTakeProductions]

say hello claire! I SAID SAY HELLO!!!!

[pplovesall]

just superb sir.....awesome.......great

[Ken5imaging]

Great Tip Gavin!...I just bought a B&W...looks like a need a grey one now?

[dothisdothat321]

wow thanks so much for sharing the technique i had no clue you could change the color that easily, I was expecting you to say something around the lines of photoshop but this is very practical!

[elmackis]

This is a great and useful tutorial, thanks gavin

[mannymack]

Why is it that your skin tone seems so washed out and yet this video seem dark? The lighting seems really soft judging by the shadows cast on the background. Is it due to exposure compensation? Please explain.

[aksonnebeyatta]

this is an excellent resource. Its funny because most people will say you gotta have black, white or even green, but never heard of grey.

[aksonnebeyatta]

@TheFerrisBuhler i dont even understand why you would say something like that

[uchilledfrance]

@TheFerrisBuhler No offence mate, but that's quite a nasty thing to say, isn't it? Gavin has been a source of inspiration to so many of us. He takes off valuable time to share his knowledge and this is the best you could come up with? If I'm not wrong, you just made that crass comment about his daughter. What were you even thinking? :-(

[noonchaka]

verry useful video

[fotografodeboda]

Very clear Mr Gavin

I see you use those nice cheap Yongnuo radios

Kind regards

Edward Olive

[heis1vip]

Thank you for this video

[A7man]

great simple tutorial! I really love the picture with the almost black background!

[aekinzie]

Dude, this is awesome... and so helpful. Thanks!

[tazz100588]

really informative video! question, does this kind of setting work for whole body shots as well? thanks gavin!

[neel27]

That is fantastic ! Thanks Gavin

[xxbluejay21]

She is so hot...

[IsaacMaganaMusic]

@xxbluejay21 Pedo bear alert!

[shoglove]

Hi Gavin and thanks for your tips, could you please tell me whats the setup of the speedlight main light?

[ROMCIA26]

bril video Gavin !

[yowu7446]

Gavin, you are the best. thankyou

[jairomanalu]

This is great, I really want to try this, what is the setting, Gavin and what is the front light. does it impact the camera setting, Thanks

[MichaelRayWegner]

Dude, you are really good! I can do my own family portraits this way! Haha

[jahmakea]

Very Good Demo, what were your your cam setttings?

[blackisredandblue]

Awesome Trick and Tips thank you so much dude.

[emendoncabr]

what a great teacher you are! congratulations!

[DIVADELUXE45]

amazing!

[cerberusgear]

awesome! great tips right to the point. thanks!

[joshiyogendra]

love the color part of it :)

[CarienLee]

very helpful, thank you



[laputman1]

I just found your tutorials today. Fantastic tutorial...you make it look so easy!

[aquaphotoboy]

great video

[yaronrosen86]

This video is AWESOME !!!

[yaronrosen86]

This video is AWESOME !!!

[prmass1]

She is probably thinking: "Come on Dad! Getting going- I want to go outside. What is Dad doing? Your acting silly! Oh my goddd!"

[AntMan1007]

Hi Gavin. I recently subscribed to your channel. I enjoy watching your video tutorials and am learning a lot. Photography is a hobby for me but I am also studying professional photography at the moment. I just have a question for you: Was the light inside the softbox diffused by placing some sort of cover infront of it? Also, was the light inside the softbox a flash or continuous light? Thank you!

[unbee73]

subscribed :)

[yolandosiahaya]

Great tips!!!

[Exitt10]

Thank u i wait more dear

[iamchrisphoto]

Great video Gavin!

[qChurchy139q]

Was the background 18% grey, like a grey card?

[Greggbert]

This was incredibly helpful. Thank you.



[jCuPhotographer]

Nice Wireless trigger. I have the same brand. rf-620. They are so reliable and cost efficient. Great tut.!!

[sKIPper76M]

@PhotoGavin - couldn't you do the same with a white background?

[tsehampton]

Thanks for a great video, I did not know that the grey background can be used to create most colors. This will help me tremendously.

[PhotographyChris]

hi gavin great video just wondered what canon camera and lens were you using for this video and what do you mainly use for you portraits, thanks in advance

[dakipro]

Great video sir!

[buzz4ward]

I was wondering if you could make a tutorial on multi layer stencils? I found a couple of videos on the web ... but yours are far clearer and simpler to follow. Thanks

[rontermeer]

This gives you creativity!

[MVC7CVM]

I hear all photographers say that Nikon is by far better than Canon. Do you agree on that?

Anyway super nice video :D love it!

[djcondra]

Great photographer and wonderful model. Gavins videos are so positive and inspiring.

[Gohan4411]

Wow!!! what a nice and interesting tutorial. I always learn too much from you, thak you so much for your aportation. Thankssss!!!!!!!! Gavin.

[redman68au]

has anyone ever seen gavin and god in the same room at the same time?!!

food for thought.......

[RachNnik]

can you still create the different colours other than black with a white background? =)

[honitsten]

Wow, that was awesome! Thank you for posting and answering that question.

[brajakisoradasgkg]

i have a Q.

if we click by gray background can we change that color in photoshop?? just like as u have done in that frame video, if which u painted ur frame and used gray color

[LordEmosewa]

@brajakisoradasgkg

I shouldn't do that if I were you, buy a green screen. It's particular made for such purposes. If you use a grey background, and edit is with lets say the Replace Color tool in PhotoShop, you might edit colors of you're model as well because they always have some grey or black pixels like hair or shadows. A green screen has a particular green color rarely used on clothes so you will only replace the background and don't have to worry about your subject. Try Google it.

[bodaciousbetties]

@LordEmosewa Sometimes a photog doesn't want to switch out the background color in each photo in Photoshop. I think this is a viable option.

[kaazvlog]

thank you very much, i gonna get also like you so studio but i dont have enough money for the speed lites

[gregmorrow]

Gavin, don't you think it would be better to make a portrait standing at around 5m. distance from the model?

[eggheadjunk]

I'm a college student and photography is my major and tomorrow morn we are learning about photographing on gray background and i feel like I'm gonna have an edge on knowing what to do! thanks so much for this vid! I have definitely learned a lot from your other vids too!

[walexxx]

Amazing! Getting a grey background asap!

[vilmucha10]

Great tutorials.  This one is completely fantastic and useful. Thank you very much.

[starlightaoril19]

hey please check out my video *photography* that i made im not a professional but i want people to see what i can do and what they think! thanks!

[SUGAddr]

Nice video.

But if I can only have one, do I buy black, gray or white?

[TheAykaraulan]

i love u gavin u r amazing. i ve learned a lot from you...

[jordandemoss]

Very good video. Great information! I added a gray background and gels to my Amazon wishlist!

[kindasketch]

very nice

[mrkmat]

Nice vid!

[ForsakenXColours]

Thanks for the nice tutorial.

Greetings from Berlin, Germany

[JesusRevolution247]

your videos are so helpful! you have a real gift!

[Fearlessroby]

great!

[ThrivingIvy]

Loved this. So very helpful. ;) Thanks!

[GovernerGeneral]

I'm about to purchase the Lasolite Soft Boxes. What size do you reccomend? 15X15 or 24X24...I plan on using them with an SB800, Sunpak 555 Handle mount flash, or the olde reliable Vivitar 285.

I particulalry will be using them outdoors as main lights.....please advise....

Many thanks..........Garnett Greene

[GovernerGeneral]

Wonderful...Smashing...your not just a master photographer but an excellent teacher as well. Even the novice can full grasp what's being taught. There are some gifter photographers out there but they cannot articulate the basics like you have. Well done! Keep up the good work!

[eldanieldeepak]

You are great :). Man you are doing great.

[josecoelho67]

Does it work with umbrellas as well?

[msgilliam1474]

You are awesome!!!!

[PbVeritas]

Thank you! So helpful!!

[mehdidrummer]

hi gavin thank you. it was use full for me. please tell me what are you thinking about nikon cameras?

[rocknrollgheddie666]

How the heck does the photos come so clear with no tripod??? i have a hard time holding my camera steady so i don't get blur, any tips?

[irven1]

YOUR THE MAN 100% LOL

THANK YOU 

[RaphaelBenDor]

Love your work Gavin!

[IMPnD]

Great Tip!

[nornironguy58]

Possibly the most helpful photography-related video I've ever seen on YouTube..

Thanks a lot!

[movania89]

i love to watch ur videos !! very helpful !! and ya i voted for you u deserve that!

[jahanzebk91]

wow that was quite awesome :D

[KaioStryker]

Gavin, what kind of light do you have behind you? I'm new to photography, and looking to do portraits just like you did in this video.

[PhotoGavin]

@KaioStryker Those were Can 580 EX speedlights, but you can do the same thing with studio strobes or continuous lights if needs be. It's not about the gear, it what you do with it...

[KaioStryker]

@PhotoGavin Thanks Gavin. I really appreciate the response. Looks like I will be getting a tripod and softbox for my SB-600. As always, you rock and thanks for the videos!

[jordandemoss]

@PhotoGavin Agreed. Your vids definitely show creative ways to put gear to use.

[pjos111]

@PhotoGavin Gavin I just bought a white background but I cant seem to hide the wrinkles. Have you any ideas/ Also is it best to have the flash at a height behind the model instead of on the ground like I have been doing?

[brilliantboy88]

Great videos. You've really taught me a lot.

[Supiripanto]

Very useful video...but it brought me a new question...whenever you use this kind of background, how do you manage the measurement?...Do you use center, punctual or matrix measurement? And also, which part of the model you consider most important to take the light measures? Thanks

[PhotoGavin]

@Supiripanto When working with flash I use a light meter and full manual mode. The light meter takes an incident light reading (not reflected) so the meatering spot isn't an issue.

[jarod51]

@PhotoGavin but what if we don't have a light meter ? :)

[brucejohn14]

Hey Gavin how's it going you're a awesome photographer a question what kind of camera are you using

[PhotoGavin]

@brucejohn14 I use Canon gear either a 5D mkII or in this case a 40D.

[J0Nramirez]

Hey Gavin,

I'm a magician and I am filming a project where the camera will be focused on my hands. My question is how do I achieve a white background while having now shadows on my hands? Please respond. Thanks.

[Carlodimaximus]

Great video, very useful. I am subscribing.

Thank you very much.

Bless from Panama Republic

[wannabeb3]

This was an awesome video, dude! I liked that gel trick. It's definitely cheaper to do that than buy another background.

[HopeQ8]

wonderfull and sooooo usefull :D

thanks alot

[naruto10156]

What camera are you using?

[babybum2000]

Hi Gavin,

when taking these shots, what are the best settings to use on your camera. Where you in manual mode? and roughly what aperture settings etc was your camera set to. im a little new at this but have great fun with my Canon, however can never get the desired shots.

thanks

[XanadarX]

Wow awsum video Gavin didn't realise you could do this with grey backgrounds will defo try this, one question what lense do you use looks like an L series lense

Look forward to more videos

[keape86]

What's the lens you use for your portrait??

thanks

[vladislaowilly]

i love your videos, nice nice nice... that softbox is a cowboystudio softbox?? or what brand is it??

[barelyaverage]

Gavin, you probably are the best teacher on net. I have learned so much from your techniques. After watching these videos I bough a PY04 as well, my question is what setting would you recommend on the camera (F value, ISO and Shutter) and similarly what should be on the Speedlite (currently I have Canon 430 EX II). Ive tried various setting but not achieving the desired results.

Thanks

[paoiedude]

what about the flash settings??

[paoiedude]

great video!.does it have to be a grey backround? i have a vinyl grey backround,will that do the trick???? thanks!

[VannyPack88]

Gavin,

Thanks so much for the tips! I would have never thought of placing a light behind the subject. Can't wait to try it out!

Vanessa M.

[Poohcifer]

Wonderful! I sure would like to go to one of your seminar, if any in USA.

[psyker156]

Great video thank you!

[vintagepremoon]

Great advice, Easy to understand presentation, examples of each shot, explanation of things down to the stop change needed...I simply vote you the most helpful "photo guy" on Youtube. I learn something on every episode.

[rlpeebles]

You tell us what the background flash is set at, but no mention of the key light settings?

[gingerkitty4]

you are awesome as usual

[FrostyTheBeerMan]

Hi Gavin,

what mount do you suggest for your flash and large softbox ? , I see so many choices available, but have no clue what to purchase. Thanks or any help.

[urmatoru]

5*s again

[isaiahheaden]

This is so cool. My favorite lesson so far. I need a gray backdrop.

[therbertme]

pffft,"I've not done that and it's kind of on purpose" kind of couldn't be shagged.

[Sharon430]

What background should I use if I want to take a picture of an object that I'm going to extract in Photoshop Elements?

thanks for all of your videos!

[PhotoGavin]

@Sharon430 The usual choice is green or blue. Do a Youtube search for Chroma Key and you'll find plenty for advice.

[hslade23]

complete beginner question Im almost emabarrased to ask but...how does the key light and the flash behind your model work together? I've learned more from your tutorials that anyone else on the web. Thanks for being so "user friendly!"

[PhotoGavin]

@hslade23 The camera has a radio transmitter fitted to the hotshoe and the speedlights (flash guns) are attached to receivers. They all are set to the same frequency so when the camera takes the photo all the flashes fire together.

[jchitrady]

Awesome Gavin...I enjoyed every single video you have here.

The great tutorials and your nice and friendly personality separate you from the rest.

[avbmenon]

Hey great video gavin, whats the lens you were using?

[PhotoGavin]

@avbmenon A Canon 24-105L

[LosPigg]

when is it best to use studio flash heads over speed lights?

[PhotoGavin]

@LosPigg Use what you've got. This video was in answer to a question on using speedlites but in my studio I usually use flash heads. That said the technique is the same with either light types.

[Hadbanger]

Thank you again for this great video. And also thanks to your daughter, she's always very patient if the father calls her for an experiment :)

[cristhianbarneond]

GREAT FANTASTIC i sure ler something new true the video thank you for posting it

[LibanPhotography]

A strapless camera. The Horrror!! haha. I dropped my Nikon D300 once, damage, had to send it in. Ever since I've suffered from Straplessphobia.

Great video btw.

[ke69nny]

JUST ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.. THANK YOU MY TEACHER...LOL .. IT'S REALLY GOOD

[DavidSIlvercloud]

Good video. Maybe you should have mentioned why there are black cloths on either side (to stop unintended fill light).

[Simaster]

Have you thought about doing a book Gavin.. i would definitely buy it.

[TheFrattonite]

Like everyone else Gavin, I really enjoyed this video - great stuff. I'm looking to get myself a softbox for my 580EXII - which one are you using in your vid and light stand/bracket too. Keep up the good work...

[MoonenAngie]

thanks for all the things you´re teaching me Gavin!!!

[riverhousefoto]

excellent one Gavin, thanks again

[CameronMagee]

Gavin! Wonderful video. Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to put your material together. I truly enjoy your work and look forward to the videos to come sir! thank you

[Dimacheari]

Gavin, great video once again. A question that still remains though, what was the reason you didn't iron the cloth???

Thanks alot!

[PhotoGavin]

@Dimacheari I wondered who'd be first to notice ;-) If you blowing out the background to white, you can get away with a creased background.

[Dimacheari]

@PhotoGavin Thanks for the fast reply Gavin. Clears it all up!

Please keep doing what you do, you made my photography so much better already!

[macaraegb52]

thank you for answering my questions. once again love your tutorials.

[dumarune]

Complimenti!! Veramente bravo, i tuoi tutorial entusiasmano e invogliano a scattare foto.BRAVO!

[Stickler739]

that is great. your videos are quick and to the point.. gives the info with not a lot of milling about with pointless details

[lose1000]

thanks! It;s very useful to me

[t0pyang]

What a lovely model you have there Gavin.. shes cute..

No I'm not a photographer but i learn something new from you. Thanks

[Ralphsheep]

That was just awesome!!! WOOOW!! Stunning technique!! Thanks you so much Gavin for give us in each video those tips to improve our photography technique and quality!!

[eforce1200]

Your vids are great!

[2zany4u]

Nice work mate.

Love your tutorials.

[hidimb]

Brilliant. Learnt something new!

[hunsua]

thats really good!

nice model jiji

[VelusDarkbind]

thanks a ton. this is very informative!

[cookiemainiac]

this is another great video and yet again i learnt something i didnt know that was so obious as i was brought some of thoes gels for christmas

[cookiemainiac]

this is another great video and yet again i learnt something i didnt know that was so obious as i was brought some of thoes gels for christmas

[perjrse]

Awsome video! - so simple but yet so creative! - one question though...is it "any kind of gray" or is it some specific color gray? Thanks for great tips! hope you keep doing them for a long time :) cheers from Sweden

[macaraegb52]

thank you so much for all your tutorials. learned so much from you. quick and simple videos. thanks.

planning to set up a home studio also. quick question, which is better- seamless paper, muslin, velvet or vinyl. also can white background be as versatile as gray? meaning can it also become gray and black.