Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
What’s best? Keeping your subject close to the backdrop or moving them away? It sounds like a fair and simple question but the answer needs a little more investigating which is where photographer Gavin Hoey steps up to help.
As Gavin says right at the start, the honest, but helpful, answer is… it depends on the look your trying to create because adding distance between a model and the background opens up opportunities for creative portraits.
Gavin Starts with his model, Chloe, leaning directly against the background. Zero gap sounds limiting but as Gavin shows it can also be one of the most flattering choices with options of soft shadows to give depth and shape to your portraits.
Next Gavin move Chloe 1 meter (around 3’) from the background and slides in an option patterned backdrop. The extra gap is small enough to maintain some light on the backdrop but big enough that a shallow depth of field look is achievable.
Finally Gavin increases the distance from the model to the background to 2 meters (around 7’) and with that extra space there’s room to add a 2nd flash just illuminate the background. Gavin adds a gel to the background to complete the final look.
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:31 No flash, no picture
1:20 Setting and forgetting flash power
2:19 Zero gap photo session
2:58 3.5 feet gap testing
4:07 Swapping in a textured backdrop
5:00 Shallow DOF portraits with ND filter
6:30 3.5 feet gap photo session
7:08 7 feet gap testing
8:17 Adding a background light
9:39 7 feet gap photo session
10:09 Conclusions and Subscribe
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➥ youtube.com/user/adoramaTV
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Be the first to shop our great deals and sales by signing up for emails from Adorama! adorama.com/MyAccount/Login
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Save 5% Every Day† or Special Financing* On purchases of $199+ with the Adorama Edge Credit Card. Learn More: adorama.com/g/adorama-credit.
__________________________________
✘ GEAR USED:
Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Pro II
adorama.com/flashpoint-xplor-300-pro-ii-ttl-r2-outdoor-flash-godox-ad300pro-ii/p/fplfx300piit
Flashpoint eVOLV 200 Pro II
adorama.com/flashpoint-evolv-200-pro-ii-r2-ttl-pocket-flash-godox-ad200pro-ii/p/fplfev200pii
Glow EZ Lock 24"x36"
adorama.com/glow-ez-lock-quick-rectangle-softbox-bowens-mount-24-36-inch/p/glsbez2436
OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II
adorama.com/om-system-om-1-mark-ii-mirrorless-camera-body-only/p/iomom1m2
OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro II
adorama.com/om-system-m-zuiko-12-40-mm-f-2-8-pro-ii-lens/p/iom1240pb
OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.2
adorama.com/om-system-m-zuiko-digital-ed-45-mm-f-1-2-pro-lens/p/om4512
Flashpoint 10’ C-Stand and Grip Arm
adorama.com/flashpoint-10-foot-c-stand-turtle-base-kit-grip-arm-chrome/p/fplsc
Glow S2 Round Flash S-type Bowens Mount Bracket
adorama.com/glow-s2-round-flash-bracket-bowens-mount-godox/p/glbdsm02pro
Tether Tools LeverLock Plate and TetherPro Optima 10G 15' USB-C adorama.com/tether-tools-leverlock-plate-tetherpro-optima-10g-usb-c-cable-15ft/p/ttllpc15g2o
Sekonic L-308 Flash Meter
adorama.com/sekonic-l-308x-u-flashmate-digital-light-meter/p/sksk401305
SpiderHolster SpiderPro ARCA Swiss Tripod Plate for Mirrorless Cameras adorama.com/spiderholster-spiderpro-arca-swiss-tripod-plate-mirrorless/p/sh156
#photographytips #studiophotography #adorama
__________________________________
❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏
➥ TikTok tiktok.com/@adoramanyc
➥ Facebook facebook.com/adorama
➥ Instagram instagram.com/adorama
➥ X https://x.com/adorama
➥ Discord adorama.com/discord
❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏
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➥ Blog adorama.com/alc
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__________________________________
Follow Gavin Hoey on
instagram.com/thegavinhoey
Model: Chloe Kerley
instagram.com/chloemkerley
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
What’s best? Keeping your subject close to the backdrop or moving them away? It sounds like a fair and simple question but the answer needs a little more investigating which is where photographer Gavin Hoey steps up to help.
As Gavin says right at the start, the honest, but helpful, answer is… it depends on the look your trying to create because adding distance between a model and the background opens up opportunities for creative portraits.
Gavin Starts with his model, Chloe, leaning directly against the background. Zero gap sounds limiting but as Gavin shows it can also be one of the most flattering choices with options of soft shadows to give depth and shape to your portraits.
Next Gavin move Chloe 1 meter (around 3’) from the background and slides in an option patterned backdrop. The extra gap is small enough to maintain some light on the backdrop but big enough that a shallow depth of field look is achievable.
Finally Gavin increases the distance from the model to the background to 2 meters (around 7’) and with that extra space there’s room to add a 2nd flash just illuminate the background. Gavin adds a gel to the background to complete the final look.
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:31 No flash, no picture
1:20 Setting and forgetting flash power
2:19 Zero gap photo session
2:58 3.5 feet gap testing
4:07 Swapping in a textured backdrop
5:00 Shallow DOF portraits with ND filter
6:30 3.5 feet gap photo session
7:08 7 feet gap testing
8:17 Adding a background light
9:39 7 feet gap photo session
10:09 Conclusions and Subscribe
SUBSCRIBE AND BE PART OF THE ADORAMA FAMILY:
➥ youtube.com/user/adoramaTV
__________________________________
Be the first to shop our great deals and sales by signing up for emails from Adorama! adorama.com/MyAccount/Login
🔷
Save 5% Every Day† or Special Financing* On purchases of $199+ with the Adorama Edge Credit Card. Learn More: adorama.com/g/adorama-credit.
__________________________________
✘ GEAR USED:
Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Pro II
adorama.com/flashpoint-xplor-300-pro-ii-ttl-r2-outdoor-flash-godox-ad300pro-ii/p/fplfx300piit
Flashpoint eVOLV 200 Pro II
adorama.com/flashpoint-evolv-200-pro-ii-r2-ttl-pocket-flash-godox-ad200pro-ii/p/fplfev200pii
Glow EZ Lock 24"x36"
adorama.com/glow-ez-lock-quick-rectangle-softbox-bowens-mount-24-36-inch/p/glsbez2436
OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II
adorama.com/om-system-om-1-mark-ii-mirrorless-camera-body-only/p/iomom1m2
OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro II
adorama.com/om-system-m-zuiko-12-40-mm-f-2-8-pro-ii-lens/p/iom1240pb
OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.2
adorama.com/om-system-m-zuiko-digital-ed-45-mm-f-1-2-pro-lens/p/om4512
Flashpoint 10’ C-Stand and Grip Arm
adorama.com/flashpoint-10-foot-c-stand-turtle-base-kit-grip-arm-chrome/p/fplsc
Glow S2 Round Flash S-type Bowens Mount Bracket
adorama.com/glow-s2-round-flash-bracket-bowens-mount-godox/p/glbdsm02pro
Tether Tools LeverLock Plate and TetherPro Optima 10G 15' USB-C adorama.com/tether-tools-leverlock-plate-tetherpro-optima-10g-usb-c-cable-15ft/p/ttllpc15g2o
Sekonic L-308 Flash Meter
adorama.com/sekonic-l-308x-u-flashmate-digital-light-meter/p/sksk401305
SpiderHolster SpiderPro ARCA Swiss Tripod Plate for Mirrorless Cameras adorama.com/spiderholster-spiderpro-arca-swiss-tripod-plate-mirrorless/p/sh156
#photographytips #studiophotography #adorama
__________________________________
❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏
➥ TikTok tiktok.com/@adoramanyc
➥ Facebook facebook.com/adorama
➥ Instagram instagram.com/adorama
➥ X https://x.com/adorama
➥ Discord adorama.com/discord
❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏
➥ Shop adorama.com
➥ Blog adorama.com/alc
➥ Adorama Events youtube.com/@AdoramaEvents
__________________________________
Follow Gavin Hoey on
instagram.com/thegavinhoey
Model: Chloe Kerley
instagram.com/chloemkerley
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
