
While good pictures are all about the subject, the right background can really help your subject to shine. As always, think about what you want to capture before you take your picture. Do a mental inventory – what exactly do you want the viewer to focus on (A face? Eyes? The whole person?) What impression do you want the viewer to be left with (Kindness? Vulnerability? Power?) Choosing the right background can do a lot to help you create the image you want to create.
In the image of the two sisters, I wanted to show not just their connection with each other but their lightness of being – they seemed like free spirits – very mischievous, full of laughter and light. Having four kids myself (three of them girls), I know how fleeting their moods can be, and I was aware that if they came to me for portraits the next day, they might be somber, serious and more grounded. I picked this background not just to match their dresses, but to remind the viewers of the ephemeral nature that defines little girls.
Perfect backgrounds don’t need to be expensive (although some of them are!) Nature is always perfect if you know what to look for. In the picture of the girl walking on the wall, I chose this spot because of the way the fence and the tree perfectly frame her and seem to highlight her perpetual motion. They are constants while she was always animated and expressive – I think that the stillness of the background, along with the natural framing effect, really make her pop!
Finally, look at the picture of my good boy Duke. I was walking down the hall one day and saw him regally looking out the window. I ran and got my camera. Blurring the background slightly increased the focus on Duke but leaving it identifiable enough so that I will always be able to pinpoint exactly where he was when I took it makes it timeless. The fact that his tennis ball is lying in the corner makes me love it even more.
I hope these examples inspire you to use backgrounds to your advantage in your own photography! Leave a comment below if you try it out.
Comments