The Photography Background – An Absolute Must Have For Every Photo Shooter!
Certainly one of the easiest methods to separate your work from “the crowd” is to concentrate more on your photography background.
Modern cameras are so sophisticated that almost anybody could get a reasonably exposed, in focus photograph. Observe, I said reasonably exposed as well as in focus …even aided by the superior technology we have today, we still need to learn a little bit about good, old fashioned photography techniques as a way to rise above the group in the “grabbed shot” level and begin moving into the realm of art.
First up is a method for giving your photos a professional appearance. That is accomplished by a pro photography background.
Let’s face it, when you have a beautiful, white, black or hand painted “Old Masters” type background, you’ll instantaneously skip ahead of the “grabbed shot” crowd and can soon turn out to be the go to photographer in the area.
Once your friends and relatives would like a nice photograph, they’re going to think of YOU. (And also, they’re going to stop hiding when they notice you coming – you KNOW what I mean.)
The great part re using a photography background is that it helps you be in charge of what is happening to the rear of your subject. You will have no more “antlers” sticking out of their head – no more annoying elements like traffic, other people or maybe litter on the ground.
One perceived downside regarding using a photography background is that everybody assumes that you must have a great big photo studio and a bunch of costly pro lighting to make it work.
This isn’t the situation!
Aided by the judicious use of your on camera flash, a few reflectors and possibly even a mirror or mirror finished plastic, it is possible to produce the equivalent of a 5 light set!
I have seen it done and in the finished photograph, you can’t tell it had been all reflectors and mirrors.
By the way, as opposed to your on camera flash, a similar result could be done using the sunlight as the light source. Hang your background from the limbs of a tree, set up a few reflectors and shoot away! Your family members will think it had been all done in a photo studio!
The basics that should be in every photographer’s collection are – at the very minimum – a white background, a black one and also a gray “Old Masters” style.
The white one could be a bed sheet, piece of muslin, canvas or some other white fabric. You should not fold it up or you will not like the outcome – the white will be apt to show wrinkles and creases. To start with, iron the background and then roll it onto a cylindar. (Purchase some PVC piping at any nearby “do it yourself” store. Something like three or four inches in diameter should work nicely.)
The black photography background can yet again be any type of fabric, but “Duck Canvas” is my preference. With black, wrinkles are less of an issue, however the background – actually every one of the backdrops – should be rolled up as well.
To make the “Old Masters” design, I like to recommend gray since by striking it with a colored light source, gray is a simple color to modify. Using this method, you may create any color backdrop you need.
Test acquiring some photography background fabric and shoot a handful of photos of a loved one. You will never regret it!