July 22nd, 2010 4:58 am
If you’re focused on photography – and want to get your photography to a whole new, higher level – the key to success often is the photography background!
One of the significant differences between beginner and pro photography is the pro has learned to manage and manipulate the photography background – where the beginner focuses all their consideration on the model and typically simply lets the background happen on its own.
Have you ever been so caught up in your model and lights and so forth that (when you have a look at the completed photograph) you discover a huge trash can – right behind your model – spilling trash all over the ground? In every photo? And you didn’t even see it during the photo shoot!
Or, have you been guilty of having tree branches appearing to stick out of the subject’s head, resembling antlers?
They are stupid mistakes that are effortlessly fixed and can quickly raise your photography’s effectiveness.
The bad news is we don’t really perceive how much better our images are! Let’s face it; if you don’t have litter or antlers and so forth, you don’t pause to think how much better your photo is…you just do not notice. Our notice only comes to bear if we overlook something and mess up (we all do every so often).
If you want respect for your creative activities, you can’t let these problems into your photography. It is really a simple repair…only remember to think about the background and all four corners within the viewfinder before you press the shutter button – and then you tweak accordingly.
In case you have a difficult time remembering, take a strip of masking tape and write – in large black print – “CHECK THE BACKGROUND”. And then attach the masking tape on the rear of your camera. It will help remind you until it turns into a habit.
You won’t ever realize how many images you have rescued, however it’s worth the effort.
The following most simple photography background procedure – to make your model “pop” from our shot – is to isolate them.
I am positive you have looked at photography where the subject is in clear, razor-sharp focus – but the backdrop is completely out of focus and is nothing but a wash of color.
It is done with controlling the depth of field.
Depth of field establishes just how much of your photograph is in focus. There are actually whole textbooks written concerning this subject (heck, I penned one myself!) but the simplest ways to do this “wash of color” method are to:
1. Make use of the greatest focal length lens possible.
2. Open it up to the widest aperture possible – this would be the lowest f-stop numeral.
3. Place the backdrop as far to the rear of the model as is practicable. Or position the model as far in front of the background as you can.
Clearly each of the three steps has plenty of variables. Through adjusting the options available to you, you can make your photography background as focused or de-focused as you desire. There isn’t any right or wrong.
Absolutely out of focus, moderately in focus, sharp as a tack…this is now where your inventive eye comes into the picture.
As soon as you’ve mastered the “in camera” techniques of controlling the backgrounds, after that it’s time to think about making a few fabric backdrops. This will give your work an expert “photo studio” look.
A top notch quality background can literally cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Consequently, instead of dishing out the big bucks, I recommend making your own. Luckily a photography background is straightforward to produce and can be made for pennies on the dollar.
Pay attention to your photography background and you’ll be capturing pro quality photography in no time.
Tags: backdrop, photo, photo background, Photography, photography backgrounds