What's in a background?

Amanda Ryen

All of the elements of a great photo need to come together to make it, well, great.

The subject, whether it a vista, flower, family or house, needs to be properly positioned in the frame, so you can show your viewer exactly what you want them to see.

The foreground needs to direct the viewer's eye where you want them to look.

The background, however, is the key. A lousy background makes a lousy photo, no matter what you do. A background has 2 purposes. First, it gives a sense of place, if that is what is intended. For those images where "place" is not necessary, the background should be either completely blurred out, or just not there.

Where place IS necessary, the background's second task is to NOT DISTRACT from the subject, or possibly even add to the subject's impact.

As you might imagine, I have difficulty coming up with examples of images where I messed up.

Oh, take notes here!

Sage thought for the day. If you screw up a photograph, delete it. It never, ever happened. Then, when people see your library of extraordinary photos, they get the idea that all you EVER take, are perfect photos. It's OK. Your secret will be safe with me.

So,  The little girl with antlers and flowers growing out of her head. This is a classic example of timing gone awry. I confess, this little beauty was showing off a flower girl dress, and was so awesome in her performance that I did not notice the background. Also, the child on the lap on the right hand side distracts from the image.

Kathy Nelson

Backgrounds can add so very much to an image. In this portrait of Kathy Nelson who owns a research data analysis firm, the background adds to the personality she has. She is shown (quite accurately) as someone who is friendly, approachable and comfortable to deal with; but also classy, learned and at the top of her field. Without the appropriate background, the image would have been not nearly as effective.

Sometimes, the moment is right, the expressions are perfect, the lighting is grand, and... the background is covered with trash and people. In this case, prepare yourself for a Photoshop session. David and Lauren here are on a beautiful path in a nature preserve in Harrisburg, PA. The problem was that the path had people and trash all over it.

After several hours of Photoshop work, cloning, adjusting levels, erasing and general enhancements, we got the results here.

Next week, your camera. Does it really matter? No...... and yes....

Oh! Homework! Go to a park, or the lake shore, or even your back yard or work... it doesn't matter. Have someone pose for you, and by YOU moving, not them, experiment with your background. Can they hide the garbage can? Can you bring out the personality of the background? Does it add to their composition?

Play! Have fun! You haven't been to a park in too long anyway.

Until next week!