Using a banner and back drop: Hi, I am trying to get a cute Valentines Day photo of my 4 year old with a Banner in the background. I am using a white sheet and am not sure if I should...

Andrea Loc: Naples, Florida

Hi, I am trying to get a cute Valentines Day photo of my 4 year old with a Banner in the background. I am using a white sheet and am not sure if I should have the banner hanging directly against it or leave some space. Also, I just need advice on how to get the best shot. I would appreciate all advice. Thanks to all.

notnoBuddha

If you wish to keep the banner in sharp focus I would recommend it be close to the subject. If you you wish the banner to be in soft focused or blurred - the more distance you have between, the easier ir will be to get the desired effect. Other than that is is mostly a subjective call as to what you like the best.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

Andrea wrote:

Hi, I am trying to get a cute Valentines Day photo of my 4 year old with a Banner in the background. I am using a white sheet and am not sure if I should have the banner hanging directly against it or leave some space. Also, I just need advice on how to get the best shot. I would appreciate all advice. Thanks to all.

red banner red dress ......

photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ

I would put the banner right against the background......if it is away from the background,you risk the chance of having a shadow on the white background

Hoss Loc: Near Pittsburgh, Pa

Andrea wrote:

Hi, I am trying to get a cute Valentines Day photo of my 4 year old with a Banner in the background. I am using a white sheet and am not sure if I should have the banner hanging directly against it or leave some space. Also, I just need advice on how to get the best shot. I would appreciate all advice. Thanks to all.

I agree with photophly keep the banner against the background and use an f stop like f8 and above to give you better DOF so the banner will also be in focus.

Andrea Loc: Naples, Florida

Thanks everyone, for your comments. Do you think I should move her down so the banner is above her head? The weird part is, I find the banner distracting but really want to use it. I am trying to make it work and I just can't get it to be pleasing. I don't have a red dress either. I could go buy one if you all agree that would be my best bet. Thanks again.

ftpecktim Loc: MONTANA

[qThuote=Andrea]Thanks everyone, for your comments. Do you think I should move her down so the banner is above her head? The weird part is, I find the banner distracting but really want to use it. I am trying to make it work and I just can't get it to be pleasing. I don't have a red dress either. I could go buy one if you all agree that would be my best bet. Thanks again.[/quote]

The banner is red with a splash of white the dresss is white with a splash of red,I think this works great. A red dress would be to much red,a color that is harder to shoot , so why throw that in. imo

Teri O Loc: California

I might move the banner to an angle from top corner to bottom - opposite to angle of her head. Give more movement to pic... no to red dress.... the white one is darling and your daughter is too..

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

I would move the banner up, right now it's cutting right thru her cute little head. Since it's a single person in the image, turn the camera portrait orientation, it will give you more head room.

Andrea Loc: Naples, Florida

I wanted to turn my camera but I was using my speedlite and was not sure if it would still hit her face. Would it?

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

Andrea wrote:

I wanted to turn my camera but I was using my speedlite and was not sure if it would still hit her face. Would it?

You don't want your speedlight pointed directly at your subject, you want to bounce it off a wall, ceiling, reflector something. Especially if it isn't diffused.

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

have her sit up and block the chair

nikron7 Loc: Indianapolis

I know you want to keep the banner, but it so distracting from the beautiful subject you have.

flytyer57 Loc: Mountain Home, Arkansas

I would keep the banner against the backdrop and move the subject further away from it and use an f-stop of around 4 to blur the banner a bit.

I also would move the banner either lower or higher. Cutting across her head it is distracting.

Doing a portrait mode crop wouldn't be bad either.

Andrea Loc: Naples, Florida

Thanks everyone. I am going to try again without the banner : (
Just one more question, if I turn my camera how do I bounce the light? I can't use the ceiling, so do I use the side wall? How would that hit my subject? I just went to a photography bootcamp and the teacher said she always point the speedlite directly at her subject. I do use a diffusor. I have a book by Neil van Niekert called On-Camera Flash but I am only on page 16. (as you can all tell). Thanks so much for all the help.