Tag: graybackdrop

Categories
Backdrops for Photoshoots Headshots and Personal Branding

Studio Backdrop: Light Gray

Gray is the Queen of colors, because she makes everyone else look good.

-Helen Van Wyk, Painter
“Double Exposure” portrait of Andrea captured with a mix of natural light and strobe.

As you can see from the images in this post, this light gray backdrop can appear much lighter or darker in photographs depending upon the lighting used to make the portrait. In the studio I work with natural light, strobe light, and a mix of both natural light and strobe to create portraits that are light and airy to dark and moody and everything in between.

The goal with this backdrop was to choose the right tone of gray that would work as both a neutral and to pair well with just about any color. I also had in mind to select a tone that would work well in replacing white seamless paper for fashion-inspired images, especially when a little more texture is desired in the image.

“Socially distanced” group photo of the Marana Chamber of Commerce Committee Chairs for 2019-2020. Each member was captured individually and composited into this group photo. I made a makeshift studio outside under a canopy.
Devi posing under the canopy for her participation in the Marana Chamber of Commerce photoshoots to capture the outgoing committee chairs.
Personal Branding image for Erik Anderson of Scar and Pain Solutions, based in Tucson, Arizona.
Pam is owner of Theia Hypnotherapy, LLC, a certified hypnotherapist.

In addition to this warm light gray backdrop, the studio has a variety of gray backdrops in inventory:

Warm Gray | Charcoal Gray | Blue-Gray | Portable Medium Gray

Interested in learning more about what the studio has to offer? Click on the following links to jump to the studio’s portfolio of images, and download a digital copy of the studio’s Magazine and Style Guide to learn how to prepare for your photoshoot:

Link to the studio’s portfolio.

Link to the studio’s Free Magazine and Style Guide.

Categories
Backdrops for Photoshoots

Studio Backdrop: Warm Light Gray

In nature, light creates the color. In the picture, color creates the light.

-Hans Hofmann
Andrea photographed in front of the studio’s big bay window to add a base layer of natural light and then a strobe is added to give the light direction.

White, black and gray are essential in every wardrobe and this concept applies to backdrops as well. My general rule is to photograph lighter tones on lighter backdrops and darker tones on darker backdrops. Gray is the exception to the rule. As you can see with Andrea’s cover image there isn’t too much contrast between the lighter gray backdrop and her black shirt. It is subtle, but you can also see that Andrea’s blonde hair is complimented by the ochre color that was added as a golden accent to the backdrop.

The tones in this backdrop are cream, light gray and ochre. I had to photograph each backdrop before I could declare it finished. Backgrounds tend to look different in a photograph than they do lying on the floor.

In addition to this warm light gray backdrop, the studio has a variety of gray backdrops in hues that range from lighter to darker:

Light Gray | Blue-Gray | Portable Medium Gray | Charcoal Gray

Interested in learning more about what the studio has to offer? Click on the following links to jump to the studio’s portfolio of images, and download a digital copy of the studio’s Magazine and Style Guide to learn how to prepare for your photoshoot:

Link to the studio’s portfolio.

Link to the studio’s Free Magazine and Style Guide.

Categories
Backdrops for Photoshoots

Studio Backdrop: Chalk Paint Blue-Gray

Andrea photographed in a lighting set-up called “the half-light”.

I thought I found a way to easily paint a backdrop by using chalk paint. I saw examples on the internet that looked absolutely gorgeous. One writer claimed that all she did was throw some chalk paint on a wall and voila gorgeousness ensued. So I went to Home Depot, bought dark gray chalk paint and excitedly – yes, excitedly – rolled on a layer of paint. It dried to a dull uninteresting color with no texture. 🙁

What painting project doesn’t involve thirty trips to Home Depot? Back to Home Depot I trudged to investigate what colors of chalk paint were available in sample colors. There were only three hues available: black, white and a pretty pastel blue. I bought all three. Back home I returned to apply the colors with a textured roller over the flat black paint. With a bit of patience I was able to say yes to success. The addition of the light blue chalk paint lends a hint of a cool undertone to the gray that is quite lovely. The key to success is in not giving up.

In addition to this blue-gray backdrop, the studio has a variety of gray backdrops in hues that range from lighter to darker:

Light Gray | Warm Light Gray  | Portable Medium Gray | Charcoal Gray

Interested in learning more about what the studio has to offer? Click on the following links to jump to the studio’s portfolio of images, and download a digital copy of the studio’s Magazine and Style Guide to learn how to prepare for your photoshoot:

Link to the studio’s portfolio.

Link to the studio’s Free Magazine and Style Guide.