Lighting a White Seamless

[Tyler Stromberg]

I am a film student and am planning on using a 107" wide superwhite seamless background in an upcoming shoot.

I have read through Zack Arias' guide for using white seamless paper for photo shoots and I have a few questions:

1. What lights should I use to light the background? I should use soft light so that it is evenly exposed, correct? I was thinking of grabbing some KinoFlos, but I don't know how many I should rent.
2. Kino suggests that lighting for Blue/Green Screen be done from above and below, but that isn't possible in the space I will be using. Can I just do what Zack did and put the Kinos on the sides?
3. Looking through the guide, is there anything that you would change for shooting on a video camera instead of a still camera?
4. Any other pointers?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sarah C.]

I'll let the boyz discuss the lighting gear...

To light your seamless.. don't trust your eyes, use your meter. Feather. You could in theory light a seamless with just about anything depending on your level of creativity.

best to ya,
Sarah

 

[thx-1138]

A good place to start is several 2k spacelights with bibs.

Sorry, just realizes inches in stead of feet.

Kino's will work fine, a couple of wall-0s or flathead 80s with layer(s) of diffusion to slow the light and soften it will do the job.

You could also use larger source 1200hmi or 2 or 5k through a grip silk... if you have the room.



A spot meter will help you tweak in your lights.. if you don't have one stop down and you should quickly see any hot spots you need to work on.

 

[Michael Grugal]

Look you don't need to get all fancy with kinos and spacelights.

Is the shot head to toe? Cause thats important.

All you need is 2 2k's with chimeras for the seamless. then 2 1ks with chimeras for your subjects keys. and a 1k backlight. And it would be nice if they were all on dimmers.

 

[Esteban Sosnitsky]

I always light with tungsten open faces.