I. Understanding What Makes a Good Background
Before you even start looking, understand these key characteristics:
* Simplicity & Clarity: A great background is often simple and uncluttered. You want the viewer's eye drawn to the subject, not distracted by a busy or overwhelming background.
* Complementary Color & Tone: The colors and tones in the background should complement the subject's skin tone, clothing, and overall style. Avoid clashing colors. Look for harmony and balance.
* Depth of Field Compatibility: Consider how you'll use depth of field. A background that looks good in sharp focus might be distracting if blurred. A background that's visually busy can often become appealing with shallow depth of field.
* Lighting Consistency: The lighting on the background should be similar to the lighting on your subject. Harsh shadows in the background while your subject is in soft light can be jarring.
* Storytelling Potential: A good background can add context and meaning to your portrait, hinting at the subject's personality, interests, or environment.
* Avoid Distractions: Look for things that will pull focus away from your subject: bright colors, busy patterns, power lines, distracting signs, other people, etc.
II. Scouting Locations
* Explore Locally: Start close to home. Parks, gardens, urban areas, forests, beaches, fields - all offer potential. Even your own backyard can work!
* Different Times of Day: Scout locations at different times of the day to see how the light falls. Golden hour (shortly after sunrise and before sunset) is often ideal for its warm, soft light. Overcast days can provide beautiful, even light.
* Consider the Season: The seasons dramatically change the look of outdoor locations. Fall foliage, spring blooms, winter snow, and summer greenery all offer unique opportunities.
* Use Online Tools:
* Google Maps/Earth: Explore locations from above, looking for parks, water features, interesting architecture, etc. Use Street View to get a sense of the ground-level view.
* Instagram & Pinterest: Search for photos taken in your area to get inspiration and identify potential locations. Use location tags.
* Photography Location Apps: Some apps (e.g., Shootproof) help photographers discover and share photo locations.
* Look Up & Down: Don't just look straight ahead. Pay attention to what's above and below the subject. Interesting skies, tree branches, textured ground, or even reflections in puddles can add interest.
* Think Abstractly: Don't always need a "scenic" background. Sometimes, a simple textured wall, a patch of light and shadow, or a blurred mass of color can work beautifully.
* Consider Permits & Permissions: For some locations (e.g., public parks, historical sites, private property), you may need a permit or permission to photograph. Check beforehand to avoid problems.
* Keep a Running List: As you discover potential locations, create a list or spreadsheet with notes about the location, best time of day, any restrictions, etc.
III. Composing Your Shot with the Background in Mind
* Subject Placement: Experiment with placing your subject in different parts of the frame. The "rule of thirds" is a good starting point, but don't be afraid to break it. Consider leading lines and how they guide the eye.
* Depth of Field:
* Shallow Depth of Field (wide aperture, e.g., f/1.8, f/2.8): Blurs the background, isolating the subject and creating a dreamy effect. Ideal for busy or distracting backgrounds.
* Deep Depth of Field (narrow aperture, e.g., f/8, f/11): Keeps both the subject and the background in sharp focus. Useful when the background adds important context to the portrait.
* Angle of View:
* Shooting from a low angle: Can make the subject appear taller and more powerful, and can simplify the background by including more sky.
* Shooting from a high angle: Can make the subject appear smaller and more vulnerable, and can emphasize the ground or surrounding environment.
* Focal Length:
* Wide-angle lenses (e.g., 24mm, 35mm): Capture more of the background, placing the subject in a wider context. Can also introduce distortion if not used carefully.
* Telephoto lenses (e.g., 85mm, 135mm, 200mm): Compress the background, making it appear closer to the subject. Can also create a very shallow depth of field.
* Framing: Use elements in the environment (e.g., trees, arches, doorways) to frame your subject and draw attention to them.
* Consider the Sky: The sky can be a beautiful element in your portrait, especially during sunrise or sunset. Use a polarizing filter to reduce glare and enhance the colors. Overcast skies act like a giant softbox, providing diffused light.
IV. Practical Considerations
* Lighting:
* Golden Hour: Provides warm, soft light that is flattering for portraits.
* Open Shade: Find a location where the subject is in the shade of a building or tree. This provides even, diffused light without harsh shadows.
* Backlighting: Position the subject with the sun behind them. This creates a rim light around the subject and can give a dreamy, ethereal look. Use a reflector or fill flash to light the subject's face.
* Reflectors: Use reflectors to bounce light onto the subject's face, filling in shadows and adding a touch of brightness. White, silver, and gold reflectors offer different effects.
* Fill Flash: Use a flash to add light to the subject's face, especially in situations where there is strong backlighting or harsh shadows.
* Posing: Your subject's pose should complement the background. A casual pose might work well in a natural setting, while a more formal pose might be appropriate for an urban environment.
* Wardrobe: The subject's clothing should also complement the background. Consider colors, patterns, and styles that will harmonize with the environment.
* Communication: Communicate clearly with your subject about your vision for the portrait and guide them into flattering poses.
* Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment with different angles, compositions, and settings. The best way to find great backgrounds is to practice and learn what works best for you.
V. Post-Processing
* Minor Adjustments: In Lightroom or Photoshop, you can make minor adjustments to the background, such as reducing distracting elements, adjusting the color and tone, or adding a slight blur. However, avoid making drastic changes that will make the background look unnatural.
In summary: Finding great backgrounds for outdoor portraits is an ongoing process of exploration, experimentation, and refinement. By understanding the principles of composition, lighting, and color, and by paying attention to the details of your environment, you can create stunning portraits that capture the essence of your subject and their surroundings.