1. Understanding the Basics
* Purpose of the Background: A good background should *complement* your subject, not compete with them. It adds context, mood, and visual interest without distracting the viewer.
* Keep it Simple: The most important thing.
* Color Harmony: Consider how the background colors interact with your subject's clothing, skin tone, and the overall color palette you want to achieve.
* Depth of Field: Understanding how aperture (f-stop) controls the blur (bokeh) in your background is crucial. Wider apertures (like f/2.8 or f/1.8) blur the background more, isolating your subject. Narrower apertures (like f/8 or f/11) keep more of the background in focus.
2. Scouting Locations
* Be Prepared:
* Before the Shoot:
* Talk to Your Subject: Understand their style, personality, and the look they're going for. This helps you narrow down location options.
* Research Online: Use Google Maps, Pinterest, Instagram, and location-scouting apps to find potential spots. Search hashtags related to your area (e.g., "#seattlephotographer," "#parksseattle").
* Consider the Time of Day: Light changes dramatically throughout the day. Golden hour (the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset) provides warm, soft light that is often ideal for portraits.
* The Pre-Shoot Scout:
* Visit in Advance: Ideally, visit potential locations at the same time of day as your planned shoot to assess the light and potential backgrounds.
* Look for Variety: Within a single location, identify multiple spots with different textures, colors, and compositions.
* Check for Distractions: Be mindful of power lines, trash, construction, and other elements that could detract from the photo.
* Get a Feel for the Light: Note how the light falls in different areas of the location. Is it dappled, direct, shaded, or backlit?
* Consider crowds:
* Types of Locations and Background Elements:
* Parks and Gardens:
* Trees: Use them for framing, dappled light, or creating a sense of depth. Consider the type of tree (evergreen, deciduous) and its texture.
* Flowers and Plants: Add color and vibrancy. Look for interesting shapes and patterns. Be aware of allergies!
* Paths and Walkways: Can lead the eye to the subject or create leading lines.
* Benches and Fountains: Offer opportunities for posing and adding visual interest.
* Urban Environments:
* Walls: Brick, concrete, painted walls, and textured surfaces provide excellent backdrops.
* Alleys: Can create a gritty, edgy feel.
* Murals and Street Art: Add a pop of color and personality. Ensure you have permission to shoot if required.
* Architectural Details: Arches, windows, doorways, and stairs can create interesting compositions.
* Natural Landscapes:
* Beaches: Sand dunes, water, and sunsets provide stunning backdrops.
* Mountains: Offer dramatic landscapes and a sense of scale.
* Fields: Golden fields of wheat, wildflowers, or open grasslands can create a dreamy, romantic feel.
* Forests: Use the trees to frame your subject or create a sense of mystery.
* Water Features:
* Lakes and Ponds: Reflective surfaces can double the visual interest.
* Rivers and Streams: Add movement and energy to the photo.
* Waterfalls: Provide a dramatic and dynamic backdrop (exercise caution!).
* Simple Walls:
* White and grey walls can provide a very modern, clean, minimal look to portraits.
3. Composition Techniques
* Framing: Use elements in the environment (trees, arches, doorways) to frame your subject and draw attention to them.
* Leading Lines: Use lines in the background (roads, paths, fences) to lead the viewer's eye to the subject.
* Rule of Thirds: Place your subject off-center to create a more balanced and engaging composition.
* Symmetry and Patterns: Look for symmetrical arrangements or repeating patterns in the background that can add visual interest.
* Negative Space: Use empty space around your subject to create a sense of calm or isolation.
* Depth: Use layers of background elements to create depth and dimension in the image.
* Simplify: You can take a busy background and move the subject closer to the elements you want to use.
4. Lighting Considerations
* Golden Hour: As mentioned earlier, this is often the best time for outdoor portraits because of the warm, soft light.
* Overcast Days: Provide soft, even lighting that is flattering for portraits. Avoid having the subject look directly into the bright sky.
* Harsh Sunlight: Avoid shooting in direct, harsh sunlight, as it can create harsh shadows and squinting. If you must shoot in harsh sunlight, find shade or use a reflector to bounce light onto your subject.
* Backlighting: Position your subject with the sun behind them (backlit). This can create a beautiful rim light around their hair and silhouette. Be sure to use a reflector or flash to fill in the shadows on their face.
* Light Direction: Experiment with different light directions to see how they affect the mood and tone of the image.
5. Tips and Tricks
* Shoot Wide Open: Use a wide aperture (low f-stop number) to blur the background and create a shallow depth of field, making your subject stand out.
* Get Creative with Angles: Experiment with different shooting angles (low, high, tilted) to create unique perspectives.
* Change Your Perspective: Crouch low, climb something high, or move around to find the best vantage point.
* Interact with the Environment: Encourage your subject to interact with the background elements (leaning against a tree, sitting on a bench, walking down a path).
* Be Mindful of Your Background: Continuously check your viewfinder or LCD screen to make sure there are no unwanted elements in the background.
* Zoom In:
* A good zoom lens can greatly reduce the amount of background that appears in your portrait, which simplifies your composition.
* Zooming in also compresses the background, making distant objects seem closer and more blurred.
* Use a Reflector: Reflectors bounce light back onto your subject's face, filling in shadows and creating a more even exposure.
* Use a Fill Flash: A fill flash can also be used to brighten up shadows on your subject's face, especially in backlit situations. Use sparingly to avoid a harsh, artificial look.
* Post-Processing: You can use post-processing software (like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop) to further enhance the background, adjust colors, and remove distractions.
* Practice and Experiment: The best way to improve your ability to find great backgrounds is to practice and experiment. Go out and shoot as much as possible, and don't be afraid to try new things.
Key Takeaways:
* Plan Ahead: Scout locations and consider the light.
* Keep it Simple: Avoid cluttered and distracting backgrounds.
* Use Depth of Field: Control the blur in your background with aperture.
* Consider the Light: Choose the right time of day or use reflectors/flash.
* Experiment with Composition: Try different angles and techniques.
* Most Importantly: Have fun and let your creativity shine!