Which background color to use?

[srwatters]

I have a model coming over on Monday to shoot some swimwear photographs. I've been using white seamless, but I also have a roll of 'storm gray' seamless. She is bringing bright colored (hot pink, blue, bright green) suits. Should I stick with the #01 super white or branch out and try the #70 storm gray? It's really a pain to change the paper during a shoot since I don't have a multi-roll setup yet.

To see the colors I have check out Savage's color chart at
http://www.savagepaper.com/backpprcolorchart.htm

Here is a shot of Anna linked from her OMP portfolio to get an idea of her skin color

[LoungeLizard]

I'd go with the white and go for a really high key glamour look. I think with those colors and her skin tone, it'll be really a knockout.

[adcastillo]

I agree the white would be best.

[jeffkohn]

I agree with the others, given her skin tone and the colors you say she'll be wearing, I think white would work best. A low-ratio, "glamour" lighting setup such as what you used in the shots of Cathryn you posted the other day would work well IMHO.

[srwatters]

I think you guys are right. As much as I'd like to use the gray, it will have to wait for another time. My only lighting change for this set is going to be barn doors for the background light. I'm hoping to be able to move the light around a little and not get spill on the model.

For Cathryn's session I used the AB-800 main, SB-800 fill, and AB-1600 for the background. Octobox main, white umbrella fill, and silver umbrella for the background. I usually keep my white foamcore bookend opposite the main for some low fill.

For you lighting nuts like me, I picked up what I think is a great book on portrait and lighting. It's called "Photographing People: Portraits - Fashion - Glamour" by Roger Hicks and Frances Schultz. Great portraits and excellent lighting descriptions. A hardback for under $16 at Amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...10321?v=glance