The Photography Background – An Indispensible Photo Resource!
Among the simplest ways to separate your photos from “the crowd” is to concentrate more on your photography background.
Contemporary cameras are so advanced that almost everybody will get a reasonably exposed, in focus shot. Note, I said reasonably exposed and in focus …even when using the superior equipment we’ve got these days, we still ought to find out a bit about good, old fashioned photography techniques as a way to rise above the crowd in the “grabbed shot” level and begin to move into the realm of fine art.
First up is a technique for giving your photos a professional look. That is done with a professional photography background.
Let us face it, if you have a beautiful, white, black or hand painted “Old Masters” style background, you will immediately soar ahead of the “grabbed shot” crowd and can quickly turn into the go to photographer in your area.
When your friends and relatives would like a pleasant photo, they’ll think of YOU. (And more, they’ll stop hiding if they notice you coming – you KNOW what I mean.)
The best part regarding using a photography background is that it helps you manage what is occurring behind your model. You will see no more “horns” sticking out of their head – no more annoying elements like cars, other people or even just trash on the ground.
One perceived disadvantage regarding using a photography background is that everyone assumes you need to use a big studio and also a bunch of high-priced pro lighting to make it work.
This is not true!
Aided by the wise use of your on camera flash, a few reflectors and maybe even a mirror or mirror finished plastic, it is possible to bring about the equivalent of a 5 light arrangement!
I’ve seen it accomplished and on the finished shot, you cannot tell it was all reflectors and mirrors.
By the way, as opposed to your on camera flash, exactly the same result could be accomplished by means of the sun as your light source. Drape your background over the branches of a tree, employ a number of reflectors and shoot away! Your family members will think it was all done in a studio!
The fundamentals that should be in any shooter’s collection are – at the very minimum – a white background, a black one and a gray “Old Masters” type.
The white one could be a bed sheet, piece of muslin, canvas or another white material. You should not fold it up or you will not like the results – the white will be inclined to show wrinkles and creases. At the outset, iron the background after which you can roll it on a cylindar. (Purchase some PVC piping at any nearby DIY store. About 3 or four inches in diameter ought to work nicely.)
The black photography background can yet again be any kind of material, however “Duck Canvas” is my favorite. With black, wrinkles are less of a concern, but the background – actually ALL your backgrounds – ought to be rolled up as well.
With the “Old Masters” type, I recommend gray since by hitting it with a colored light source, gray is a simple color to alter. In this way, you can make any color background you choose.
Test buying some photography background material and shoot two or three pictures of a loved one. You will never look back!
Tags: backdrop, photo, photo background, photo backgrounds, photography, photography background
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