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Hello! I was wondering how I can get a completlely white background without overexposing the subject. I get a black one by going outside and using the flash and empty space. but I can't seem to get a clean, white backround without shadows and all that stuff. and the closer I get to an all-white backround, the more I overexpose my subject.
I am not a studio expert by a mile but you need to burn the background out with one or two light sources that are placed to fall upon the background without affecting the subject by being just behind the subject. I am not sure what scenario you are in or what lights you have so it is impossible to give you a detailed answer.
It really is as simple as having a white background with more light on it than the subject , lit either from each side or 1 light directly behind the subject onto the background.
Other than that photoshop is the only other way, Ahhh! "system D" is to cover a large window with tracing paper on a bright day and use that as a background making sure your flash gives less light than the window (just thought of that!!)
Phill
I've used a manual flash gun pointing at a white background, with additional flashguns for the subject and that has worked well for me.
Andy
It's all been said. Your background needs to be brighter than your subject. Keep the subject away from the background to avoid light bleeding round the edges. BG should be no more than 2 stops brighter than your subject to provide a crisp white effect, assuming it's white in the first place. Pumping more than 2 stops extra will cause flare which affects the contrast and subsequently gives a flatter image and possible bleed around the subject.
Other way's might be to "cut out" the subject in photoshop; shoot against a light cloud/hazy sky.
But generally its lighting a plain white creaseless background more than the subject is lit. Keeping space between the background and the subject will help too.
I have shot against a light background then in Photoshop do a quick selec on the background, then inverse and then fill with white. You will have to play with the feathering to get best results. Colin
Thank you all so very much for your helpful comments! I like that there's so many different ways I can try doing it! OOOO!! 
I love the window idea! That is perfect for me, bc i have white curtains in my room and the light comes in my room well, and i don't have much professional equiptment AT ALL! Thank you!
The video was very helpful too! and I enjoyed watching it! It always helps to actually see something being done in a video or something! Thank you!
Louise.
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