I am going to shoot an interracial couple - husband is african american and the wife is Irish - they are a beautiful couple and I want to make sure that I can accomplish both tones successfully. Their son might pop in who has medium skin - so how can I accomodate all factors? Should the backdrop be light or dark?

-- Ana (ana@photodiversions.com), August 02, 2000

Answers

Your trying to get Zones IV, V, and VI in the same shot? This is a two Zone difference. Should be a piece of cake.

Pick a background darker than the darkest skin/hair, or lighter than the lightest skin/hair, or a mottled background. I like outdoor portraits, with natural settings but that's a personal thing.

-- Charlie Strack (charlie_strack@sti.com), August 02, 2000.

Ana, You can set up and shoot as always, but use one more light between the subjects and the backdrop for separation. Set this light at the same level as your fill light. You can also add a hair light hich will add separation from a dark backdrop.

-- Chet Baxter (cbaxter@eesus.jnj.com), August 07, 2000.