The Photography Background – A “Never Leave Home Without It” Necessity!

One of the easiest methods to separate your photography from “the crowd” is to focus more on your photography background.

Contemporary cameras are so advanced that just about everybody will get a reasonably exposed, in focus photo. Note, I said reasonably exposed and in focus …even with all the superior technology we’ve got these days, we nevertheless have to learn a little about good, old fashioned photography procedures so that you can rise above the crowd at the snapshot level and start moving into the realm of art.

First up is a technique for giving your photography a professional look. That’s done with a pro photography background.

Let us face it, when you have a stunning, white, black or hand painted “Old Masters” type background, you will instantly shoot ahead of the “grabbed shot” crowd and will rapidly develop into the go to photographer in the area.

When your relatives and friends would like a pleasant photograph, they’ll think of YOU. (And, they will stop hiding when they notice you coming – you understand what I mean.)

The great part about using a photography background is that it makes it possible to control what is going on behind your model. There will be no more “horns” protruding out of their head – no more annoying elements like traffic, other people or even just trash on the ground.

One perceived drawback regarding using a photography background is that everyone assumes it’s essential to use a great big studio and also a bunch of pricey pro lighting to make it work.

This is not the situation!

With the judicious use of your on camera flash, several reflectors and possibly even a mirror or mirror finished plastic, it is possible to create the equivalent of a five light set!

I’ve seen it done and in the completed photo, you cannot tell it was all reflectors and mirrors.

By the way, besides your on camera flash, the same result could be accomplished via the sunlight as your light source. Drape your background from the branches of a tree, employ a number of reflectors and fire away! Your pals will think it had been all done in a photo studio!

The essentials that should be in every shooter’s collection are – at the very minimum – a white backdrop, a black one and a gray “Old Masters” type.

The white one generally is a bed sheet, piece of muslin, canvas or any white fabric. Do not fold it up or you will not like the results – the white will be likely to show wrinkles and creases. To start with, iron the background after which you can roll it on a tube. (Buy a little PVC piping at your neighborhood “do it yourself” store. Around 3 or 4 inches in diameter should work nicely.)

The black photography background can once more be any style of material, but “Duck Canvas” is my choice. With black, wrinkles are not as much of an issue, but the backdrop – in fact every one of your backgrounds – should be rolled up as well.

For the “Old Masters” design, I like to recommend gray because by hitting it with a colored light source, gray is an easy color to modify. This way, you can create any color background you want.

Try acquiring some photography background material and shoot a handful of images of a loved one. You’ll not look back!

About the Author

To get additional insights to the photography background take a look at my Squidoo lens. If you’ve reached the point where you’d like to start getting cash with your camera…check out: http://www.PartTimePhotography.com.

[HD] Super Quick Black and White Photos: Photoshop Tutorial!