Thursday, July 24, 2008

Photography with Digital Backdrops

Using digital photography backdrops can make commercial photography more flexible. Your clients are not limited to an image decided upon before the photographs are taken; they can select a background that matches the photograph better.


A background can do many things to a photograph. It can change the mood of your photograph, make it look as if the subject is in some exotic place or just bring out the coloring of your subject. It is very important to pay attention to the background when taking studio pictures, as it has a direct bearing on the actual photograph.


When taking a photograph it is very important to pay attention to presentation. The background of a studio portrait has a good deal to do with the presentation of the picture.


Using the background to contrast and bring out the best coloring in your subject can be done by using various solid colors as a backdrop. The colors will depend on lighting, the clothes the subject is wearing, and their actual coloring.


The mood and atmosphere of your studio picture can be changed with the background. You can make a winter scene as a backdrop and make it festive. Or spring flowers to bring out a feeling of happiness and beauty. A scene of a famous place can be used. There is a wide variety of choices, to make and change the mood and atmosphere of your photograph.


Background can also bring out the personality of your subject. Fun backgrounds can bring out their humor, or sober ones their calmness and tranquility. It is up to you the photographer to bring out these important traits in your subject.


As you can see from these few points, the background to your photograph can make all the difference. You need to pay close attention to this, especially if you are selling your photographs. The background will make or break the photograph and should be considered carefully.


So discuss with your clients what sort of backgrounds you should be using for their photographs and give them choices. Think about atmosphere, coloring and places that a background can bring to the picture. Have fun experimenting and seeing how background can truly make your photo unique and interesting.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Friday, July 18, 2008

Photography Background

Watch your photography background! Realize that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to deciding what to include or exclude from the background.
On the one hand, you don't want an exquisitely carved and bejeweled ivory elephant taking the focus away from a once-in-a-lifetime family reunion photo.
On the other hand, if there are small splashes of color livening up an otherwise bland background that could be acceptable. Bottom line, it's very subjective, and your decision is final. The picture's background is just one of many factors on the road to great portraits. And truly outstanding portraits don't just happen by accident.
They take planning. Even casual-looking group portraits are often planned using props, poses, background, and the personality of the subjects. Since the photography background is just one of the building blocks for a great family portrait, you, the photographer, need to take control and leave nothing to chance.
Most of the time, the photographer determines where and how the subjects are arranged. If there is a perfect background, arrange a pose to use it. On the other hand, always steer clear of backgrounds which have Disaster written all over them.
If possible, stay away from:
Glass windows
Mirrors
Brightly lit signage (Exit signs, for example)
Very light colors... possibly
The problem with white or light-colored photography backgrounds is the challenge it brings up... in the form of shadows. The best advice for dealing with shadows is to avoid using a flash.