Our passion for photography isn't nearly sufficient, we have to be aware of - and employ - the correct techniques to be able to have our pictures be successful. The photography background is without doubt one of the key elements…
If you're interested by photography - and wish to get your pictures to a whole new,
higher level - the key to success is the photography background!
One of the significant distinctions between amateur and pro photography is that the professional has learned to control and manipulate the photography background - where the novice focuses all their attention on the subject and frequently just lets the background come about on its own.
Have you ever been so caught up with your subject and lighting and so forth that (when you check out the finished photograph) you discover a huge trash can - right behind your model - spilling garbage all over the ground? In every shot? And you never even noticed it during the photo shoot!
Or, have you been guilty of having tree branches appearing to stick from the model's head, similar to antlers?
These are ridiculous errors that're easily handled and will quickly raise your photography's effectiveness.
The unpleasant news is we do not actually observe how much better our photos are! Let's face it; if you do not have trash or horns and so forth, you don't pause to think how much better your shot is…you simply never notice. Our attention only comes to bear if we forget and mess up (all of us do sometimes).
If you want admiration for your artistic accomplishments, you CANNOT let these problems into your photography. It's a simple repair…merely remember to consider the backdrop and all 4 corners inside the viewfinder before you click on the shutter button - next you modify appropriately.
For those who have a tough time remembering, take a piece of masking tape and mark - in huge black letters - "CHECK THE SURROUNDINGS". And then place the masking tape on the rear of the camera. It will help prompt you until it becomes a habit.
You won't ever know the number of images you have rescued, however it's well worth the effort.
The following most straightforward photography background procedure - to make your subject "explode" from the photograph - is to isolate them.
I'm sure you've noticed photography where the subject is in clear, razor-sharp focus - however the backdrop is totally out of focus and is nothing but a wash of color.
It's done with manipulating the depth of field.
Depth of field establishes just how much of the photograph is in focus. You'll find complete publications written concerning this subject (heck, I wrote one myself!) but the simplest ways to accomplish this "wash of color" method are to:
1. Make use of the longest focal length lens possible.
2. Set it towards the widest aperture workable - this would be the lowest f-stop number.
3. Place the background as far behind the subject as is feasible. Or place the model as far in front of the background as you are able to.
Without a doubt each one of the 3 procedures has several variables. By adjusting the options presented to you, you can make your photography background as focused or de-focused as you feel like. There's no right or wrong.
Totally out of focus, partially in focus, sharp as a tack…this is now the point where your imaginative eye comes into play.
Once you've mastered the "in camera" techniques of manipulating your backgrounds, after that it's time to consider creating selected cloth backdrops. This will give your projects a professional "photo studio" appearance.
A good quality background can literally cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Therefore, rather than shelling out the big bucks, I recommend making your own. Fortunately a photography background is easy to produce and can be made for pennies on the dollar.
Put some effort into your photography background and you will be shooting professional level photos in no time.
