To move our photographs beyond the snapshot phase and have them start reflecting the "artist" inside us, the photography background is a huge building block to take into account. This is why…
Certainly one of the easiest ways to separate your photos from "the crowd" would be to concentrate more on your photography background.
Modern cameras are so highly developed that just about anyone can get a reasonably exposed,
in focus shot. Note, I said reasonably exposed and in focus …even when using the superior equipment we have nowadays, we nevertheless ought to find out a little concerning good, old fashioned photography procedures so as to rise above the group in the "grabbed shot" level and begin to move into the realm of art.
First up is a method for giving your photography an expert look. That's done with a professional photography background.
Let's face it, when you've got a gorgeous, white, black or hand painted "Old Masters" type background, you'll instantaneously skip ahead of the snapshot crowd and can soon turn into the go to photographer in the area.
Once your friends and relatives need a nice photo, they will think of YOU. (And also, they will stop hiding when they notice you approaching - you KNOW what I mean.)
The best part about using a photography background is that it helps you manage what is happening behind your subject. You will have no more "antlers" sticking out of the head - no more distracting elements like cars, other people or maybe trash on the ground.
One perceived disadvantage regarding using a photography background is that everybody assumes you have to use a great big photo studio and a bunch of pricey pro lighting to make it work.
This is not true!
Aided by the careful use of your on camera flash, some reflectors and possibly even a mirror or mirror finished plastic, it is possible to generate the equivalent of a 5 light arrangement!
I have seen it done and in the completed photograph, you can't tell it had been all reflectors and mirrors.
By the way, instead of your on camera flash, an identical effect could be accomplished by means of the sunlight as your light source. Drape your backdrop from the branches of a tree, set up some reflectors and fire away! Your friends will think it had been all done in a photo studio!
The essentials that ought to be in every photographer's collection are - at the very minimum - a white backdrop, a black one and a gray "Old Masters" style.
The white one generally is a bed sheet, piece of muslin, canvas or another white material. You should not fold it up or you won't like the outcome - the white will be likely to show wrinkles and creases. At the outset, iron the background and then we roll it onto a tube. (Buy some PVC piping at any local "do it yourself" store. Something like 3 or 4 inches in diameter ought to work nicely.)
The black photography background can yet again be any style of material, however "Duck Canvas" is my choice. With black, wrinkles are less of a concern, but the backdrop - actually ALL your backdrops - should be rolled up as well.
For your "Old Masters" type, I like to recommend gray because by hitting it with a colored light source, gray is a simple color to change. Therefore, you can also make any color backdrop you fancy.
Test buying some photography background material and shoot a number of pictures of a loved one. You'll not look back!
