Using Your Window as a White Backdrop

When I first posted my high key off-camera flash tutorial, the question that was asked the most was whether or not you could achieve the same look using a singe flash. One way you can achieve the same effect is by using your window as a white backdrop and using your flash to light your subject.

Equipment Used

• Canon EOS Rebel T3I / 600D
• Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS
• Manfrotto 190XProB Aluminum Tripod
• Yongnuo YN-560 Speedlight
• Yongnuo RF602 Wireless Flash Triggers

The Idea

The light inside of your home is usually a lot darker than the light out side. By exposing for the inside of your house, you typically over expose what is on the outside. If you over expose the outside enough, it'll turn completely white. You may have already seen this in action without realizing it. There are many times where you shoot in front of a bright light source and your subject tuns into a silhouette. The same thing is happening in this situation.

Adding the Flash

By other exposing the light on the outside, you'll find that your subject might be under exposed. This is a look that some people go for, but it is not the look that we are after today. What you then have to do is add a flash into the equation in order to light your subject. In this demonstration, I am using a Yongnuo YN-560 Speed light.

Examples

Here are some of the shots that are shown in the video above. You might find a few areas where you can still see some of the blinds behind me, but if you keep careful attention to your shots, you should be able to get the background to be completely blown out. If there are some visible sops after taking the photos, take them into photoshop and you should be able to get rid of them pretty quickly.