I'm a big believer that the most important thing in the picture should be the people. Many clients want to know where we'll shoot, where is a great background. I'm usually not looking for great backgrounds--I'm usually looking for backgrounds that don't ruin the picture! There are some great backgrounds, but for the most part, as long as it's not so distracting that attention is drawn away from my subject, the background is not a big consideration for most of my work. Of course, there are exceptions, and when there are these tips will help … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Consider the Background
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Background Layering Makes All the Difference
Backgrounds are important no matter what you’re photographing, but especially when photographing products. Layering different elements together can help make for an interesting yet non-distracting background, and can lead to a more “complete” photograph. When photographing any type of product, it’s important to keep in mind what you’re using for a background. I shoot a lot of my food work in its natural environment, using different textures to add interest. On a recent food shoot, I worked with owners of an apple orchard who wanted to … [Read more...] about Background Layering Makes All the Difference
Seven Tips For Better Photographic Backgrounds
It’s easily the most important lesson I learned in photography - how to make better photos by controlling the background. I am a background fanatic. Some photographers talk non-stop about low-light performance, or color saturation or sharpness…for me it’s all about that background. I have walked away from some pretty nice photographic subjects because I didn’t like the background. It always bugs me to the point of exasperation if I can’t find a decent background for my subjects. I think I’ve written four or five posts on this subject … [Read more...] about Seven Tips For Better Photographic Backgrounds
Simplest Way to Get a Great Background Anywhere
Anytime there is good light, I try to make a portrait. It keeps me sharp, and it’s fun. I often approach strangers when there’s good light and say, “Hi, I’m practicing my photography, and there’s some great light right here, would you help me make a portrait?” I’ve met hundreds of wonderful people this way, and made some fun pictures, too. Great light with a great subject makes it easy to make a great picture. But getting a great background can make all the difference in the world. Let me show you how to get a good background almost anywhere … [Read more...] about Simplest Way to Get a Great Background Anywhere
A Simple Lesson In How Light Direction & Background Can Make Or Break A Photograph
I was at one of the most beautiful places of its kind in America - Green Cay Wetlands last week. Green Cay is in Delray Beach, FL, and it’s open nearly every day from sun up to sun down and it’s free! Green Cay’s absolutely one of my favorite places to visit with or without a camera. It’s very peaceful and on any given day you will see not only 25 species of birds, but also snakes, alligators, insects, flowers, butterflies, rabbits, raccoons and more. Of course for me the attraction would be the birds. The wetlands are a water reclamation … [Read more...] about A Simple Lesson In How Light Direction & Background Can Make Or Break A Photograph
Adding Video Background to Keynote Presentations
I recently attended an Adobe event and saw Rufus Deuchler presenting about mobile apps. As interesting as this talk was I was transfixed by the presentation he was giving because it has a moving background. I pondered the fact that Adobe might be releasing some new presentation software where this was a feature, but when he switched from the presentation to an iPad I caught a glimpse of the presentation software, to my surprise it was nothing more than Keynote. As a Keynote lover I thought Id explore this more fully. Heres my conclusion and … [Read more...] about Adding Video Background to Keynote Presentations
Extracting From A Green Screen – The LAB Trick
If youre shooting in a studio for compositing with Photoshop then you may be using a grey or green backdrop. I was spending a long time making masks until I saw this cool tip from Photoshop trainer Dave Cross, the time its saved me, thanks Dave! Open the images For this example Ive got two images, one of a wall and then one of a young lady listening to music, if youd like to work along theyre both available from Fotolia. The wall is a black and white image, but Im looking to have the image in greyscale so this shouldn't be an issue. It should … [Read more...] about Extracting From A Green Screen – The LAB Trick
How to Create the Look – Adding a Background Element
Background Story Finding Inspiration As Caitlin was getting ready to leave, I noticed a long-sleeve shirt she had buried in her bag. The plaid button down red shirt with her jean shorts gave me an idea. I wanted to see how the red plaid, button-down shirt would look again a blue, clouded sky. She changed and we began our second shoot. We shot a few images, but something was still missing. Just then my buddy Jerry, a homeless guy who lives by the beach, rode up on his red bike. Jerry has watched several of my shoots before and asked if he … [Read more...] about How to Create the Look – Adding a Background Element
Quick Tip – For Clean Backgrounds Increase Subject To Background Distance
Can't afford one of those super fast f/1.0 pro lenses so you can make your subject pop right off the screen when someone sees your photos? You can still have a nice, clean background by simply increasing the distance between your subject and the background. In the photo above, I am shooting at f/8! "How can that be?" you ask. Simple. The bird is 15 yards from the background. At that distance the detail in the background fades completely away, even at f/8. If you want the subject of your photos to pop; to separate from the background, make … [Read more...] about Quick Tip – For Clean Backgrounds Increase Subject To Background Distance
A Tip from Hollywood: Outdoor Portrait
The other day I received a photo attached with a text message from Hollywood shooter Mike Kubeisy. He was on the set of NCIS LA photographing what they call "Afghani" mugshots of the stuntmen for the show. The message read,Do you understand what I did?. We often send messages like these to challenge each other to think outside the box. This simple challenge intrigued me so much I stopped eating lunch and analyzed the image carefully. It was an outdoor set up for a portrait head shot, but what was Mike really trying to tell me? Camera "T" … [Read more...] about A Tip from Hollywood: Outdoor Portrait
Using Backgrounds Wisely
It can happen to the best of us; that moment when you panic and look at a location and your brain freezes and you can't think of anything even remotely unique and fun to do. At that moment, try to remember to use your backgrounds wisely. What I mean by that is a background is not always just a background. You can play off shapes, reflections, contrasts (or lack thereof) and expand your possible shots exponentially. Recently, I was in Portland for Mystic Seminars (an awesome, small group wedding photography conference) and met up with fellow … [Read more...] about Using Backgrounds Wisely
It’s All About That Background…
I love to talk about backgrounds. For me, the background is often one of the most important elements to a photograph. Thats why when I get to a location, my Background Alert System is turned on and I immediately start looking for a killer background to host my subject. I was photographing ducks at a local pond in the late afternoon and noticed the reflections of some buildings, local vegetation and the sky were creating very interesting and unique backgrounds. I made a few test exposures and while the light was fading, there was enough to make … [Read more...] about It’s All About That Background…
Benchmark: DIY Rolling Studio Gear Rack
Lately, I have been researching studio configurations. Jeremy Cowart's Triptik Studio Walkthrough got the juices flowing; especially the rolling backdrop that doubles as storage for bounces, flags and other gear. My space is an open floorplan and I already have plenty of stuff on casters, including my edit desk. I'd never thought of something like Cowart's rolling wall. Genius! I made a mental note to do something similar and moved on. Then, I stumbled across the video below from on Lifehacker. Ramsey's concept is a bit different than … [Read more...] about Benchmark: DIY Rolling Studio Gear Rack
Powerful Environmental Portraits Need 3 Things
Environmental portraits show people in their place, their habitat. The environment sets the mood and the place of the story, and a single look at the photograph can tell you what the story is about. Let me show you three things I think about as I light the background to make an environment worth photographing. 1. It's Gotta Be Believable Lighting and posing a person so he looks his best is my primary concern. (Here are two other articles about lighting and posing to help people look great.) After that's under control, I've got to figure out … [Read more...] about Powerful Environmental Portraits Need 3 Things
Food Photography Tip: Don’t Ignore the Background
When I photograph food, I'm very particular about everything in the frame. The tabletop, textiles, colors, and dishes all play a role to bring a the scene together. I typically set everything up ahead of time, even before the food is cooked, so that things are ready to go well ahead of time. Once the food is on the plate, I don't stop paying attention to those details. In a recent shoot, I had a small cup of coffee in the background of my scene. I filled it up with coffee and a little bit of cream, and placed it in the background of the … [Read more...] about Food Photography Tip: Don’t Ignore the Background
5 Overlooked Photoshop Features You Should Be Using While Editing
I have to keep it realI space out at the screen often when I edit my photos. Once that happens, things get tricky, and I usually end up missing some areas that need to be touched up. Thankfully, there are some overlooked features in Photoshop that have helped me catch those areas! Although these features won't immediately change how everything looks on a picture, these will help tune your eyes and bring attention to troubled areas. Rotate I don't know how much time you spend editing your pictures. If you spend anymore than 10 minutes working … [Read more...] about 5 Overlooked Photoshop Features You Should Be Using While Editing
How to Choose the Right Location for a Video Interview
Choosing the right backdrop for a video interview can be tough. In this tutorial I walk you through choosing a location and what things should be considered. These techniques work for photo shoots as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BUc7L2zQew This is an excerpt from a full-length class from out partners at lynda.com. The complete course is 2 hours and 28 minutes and shows how to assemble the right gear, frame your shoot, and control the lighting on the set of a video interview. Get techniques that will flatter your subjects and your … [Read more...] about How to Choose the Right Location for a Video Interview
A Simple Setup for Product Photography on a Graduated Background
For the past nine weeks I have been taking a ceramics class here in Portland, and on the last day I brought in my camera to photograph some of the other students' work. I didn't want to go too elaborate with the setup, so I opted to make use of the beautiful diffused window-light coming into the classroom. I recently purchased a graduated backdrop from Amazon to use for my pottery, the Varitone Graduated Vinyl Background #09 (31"x43"), and decided that this would be the perfect time to test it out. I placed it at a slight angle to the window … [Read more...] about A Simple Setup for Product Photography on a Graduated Background
Simple Background Magic for Photos
I want to share a simple way to apply a "texture" to a plain or seamless background. A texture is an image of almost anything that can be appropriately ghosted back adding a "texture" to the background. I use images of side walks, freeway underpasses, brick walls, sheets of paper, rusted steel, graffiti, roads, cracked glass, wrapping paper, you name it. Truly, infinite possibilities. This simple technique can provide you with the power to control the drama, mood and overall feeling of your image. It will also provide you with perfect … [Read more...] about Simple Background Magic for Photos
Using Longer Focal Lengths to Compress and Blur Your Backgrounds
One reason for using a telephoto lens (such as 100mm or 200mm) is to keep some distance between you and your subject. This can be great for portraits of people, as well as nature photography (so you don't scare away any animals). However, longer focal lengths affect more in your images than just bringing your field of view closer to your subject or focus point. Some of the biggest changes you will see will be in regards to depth of field and compression of the background or foreground of your images. Take a look at the following two images, … [Read more...] about Using Longer Focal Lengths to Compress and Blur Your Backgrounds
Portrait Props & Backgrounds
Post & Photo by Joe Farace Follow Joe on Twitter I take photographs with love, so I try to make them art objects. But I make them for myself first and foremost - that is important Jacques-Henri Lartigue They may not be the subject of the portrait but props and backgrounds will not only enhance a photograph, they can improve your image with your clients. But you need to light it appropriately. In a portrait of a child sitting on a Victorian bench in a environment created entirely with background and props, the background can become almost … [Read more...] about Portrait Props & Backgrounds
Choosing the Right Studio Backdrop
Post & Photo by There are lots of options when it comes to choosing a background whether its used on location or in studio. Some of the classic photo backgrounds are made from muslin or canvas. Muslin is a closely woven unbleached or white cloth that is produced from corded cotton yarn. It breathes well and is a good choice for clothing meant for hot, dry climates but what has endeared it to photographers is that many kinds of dyes can be applied to it and because of its light weight is easily compressed into a small space making it ideal … [Read more...] about Choosing the Right Studio Backdrop
Backgrounds, Backgrounds, Backgrounds – Backgrounds Matter
While teaching a field workshop, you'll often hear me call out to the students - "Backgrounds, Backgrounds, Backgrounds." Backgrounds matter. And choosing the right background for your subject can mean the difference between success and failure. You can have a great subject in great light but a poor background will kill the mood. Take the picture above. You'll note the smooth background focuses your eye on the bird. There's nothing behind the bird competing with the bird for your attention. The background also offers contrasting color which … [Read more...] about Backgrounds, Backgrounds, Backgrounds – Backgrounds Matter
I Couldn’t Bear It Any Longer
Image and Post by Scott's way-cool bear photo a few posts back reminded me of this series of pictures. I could not bear it any longer, and had to share them with you. The pictures illustrates, from left to right: Poor lighting - the poor bear's face is hidden in a shadow. Bad background - a tree is "growing" out of the bear's head. Good lighting and nice background. The bear was moving kinda fast and I barely made getting the shot. :-) So, see the light and watch the background. _________________________________________ … [Read more...] about I Couldn’t Bear It Any Longer
What to Look For in the Background – Angle Matters
Those who have followed me for a while or been on one of my workshops have heard me say "background, background, background." But what is it ABOUT the background you should be looking for? Lots of things is the answer but in this post I'll address a simple place to start - watch out for intruders. This would be anything that causes a distraction from the subject. Now for some teaching shots. Let me say right away these photos aren't intended to win prizes. They are intended to illustrate the point. Note in the first photo the flower bulb in … [Read more...] about What to Look For in the Background – Angle Matters
Foreground – Background
Photography is a two-dimensional pursuit happening in a three-dimensional world. When you see flat, boring, uninspiring photos, this can be just one of the causes. The photographer may not have understood the important relationship between the foreground and the background. You can use this relationship to add interest, change perspective and depth to a photo. When I'm working a subject, I study the background first. It's a very important part of any scene. It can be distracting or it can help draw the viewer's eye to the subject. But beyond … [Read more...] about Foreground – Background
More Background, Background, Background
When you are taking a photo it's important to be aware of the foreground and background of the entire scene, and not just the main subject. This is something you hear over and over, especially when you are just starting out as a photographer, but it's also what can make-or-break your image. In the two photos above I was using very shallow depth-of-field (a Lensbaby Composer at f/2.8) so I knew that I would have good bokeh and a soft background, but an out-of-focus background won't always be the only way to get the best image. The photo on the … [Read more...] about More Background, Background, Background
