1. Consider the Subject and Their Story:
* What is the mood you want to create? Think about the personality of the person you're photographing, the purpose of the portrait, and the overall feeling you want to evoke. A corporate headshot will need a different background than a whimsical children's portrait.
* Find connections, not just backdrops: The background should *complement* the subject, not compete with them. Does the person have a hobby, a favorite place, or a personality trait you can reflect in the location?
* Personalize the background: Consider elements that tell a story about the subject. For example:
* Musician: A music store alleyway or a local performance venue.
* Athlete: A field, a court, a running track.
* Artist: An art gallery, a park with sculptures, a graffiti wall (with permission!).
* Nature Lover: A forest, a garden, a beach.
2. Look for Specific Elements (Things to Scout For):
* Natural Light: The most important element. Consider:
* Time of day: "Golden hour" (shortly after sunrise and before sunset) offers warm, soft light. "Blue hour" (just after sunset) provides a cool, ethereal glow. Avoid harsh midday sun if possible, as it can cause unflattering shadows. If you must shoot in midday, look for shade.
* Direction of light: Side lighting can create dramatic shadows and highlights. Backlighting can create a soft, ethereal look with a glowing halo around the subject. Front lighting can flatten the subject's features but can be good for highlighting details.
* Ambient light: Is the light even or dappled? Does it create interesting patterns?
* Color:
* Complementary colors: Colors opposite each other on the color wheel (e.g., blue and orange, red and green) can create visual interest.
* Analogous colors: Colors next to each other on the color wheel (e.g., blue, blue-green, green) create a harmonious, calming feel.
* Neutral colors: Gray, white, and black can provide a clean, minimalist background that lets the subject shine.
* Avoid clashing colors: Ensure the background colors don't visually fight with the subject's clothing or skin tone.
* Texture:
* Smooth: Walls, bodies of water, large areas of grass can be smooth and uncluttered.
* Rough: Brick walls, tree bark, rocky surfaces, fields of tall grass can add visual interest and depth.
* Patterns: Geometric patterns, repeating shapes, or natural patterns can be visually appealing.
* Depth of Field Opportunities:
* Distance: A background that's far away from the subject will be more easily blurred out with a shallow depth of field (using a wide aperture).
* Leading lines: Roads, fences, pathways, or even rows of trees can draw the viewer's eye to the subject.
* Layers: Using foreground elements (flowers, leaves, branches) to frame the subject can add depth and interest.
* Cleanliness:
* Avoid clutter: Trash cans, distracting signs, parked cars, or other random objects can detract from the portrait.
* Consider editing: Sometimes minor distractions can be removed in post-processing.
* Move it: If possible, physically move distracting objects out of the frame.
3. Practical Steps for Finding Locations:
* Scout ahead of time: Don't wait until the day of the shoot to find a location. Visit potential locations at different times of day to see how the light changes.
* Use online resources:
* Google Maps/Earth: Explore areas you're unfamiliar with. Look for parks, trails, interesting architecture, etc.
* Instagram/Pinterest: Search for photos taken in your area to get inspiration and location ideas. Use hashtags like #yourcityphotography, #yourstateparks.
* Flickr: A great resource for finding geotagged photos, which can help you discover hidden gems.
* Local photography groups: Ask for recommendations and share your own discoveries.
* Ask for recommendations: Talk to friends, family, and other photographers in your area.
* Explore your neighborhood: Sometimes the best locations are right under your nose. Walk around and look for interesting walls, alleyways, or parks.
* Consider indoor/outdoor transition areas: Covered porches, doorways, and windows can provide interesting light and backgrounds.
4. Technical Considerations:
* Aperture (f-stop): Use a wide aperture (e.g., f/2.8, f/1.8) to blur the background and create a shallow depth of field, isolating the subject. Use a narrower aperture (e.g., f/8, f/11) to keep more of the background in focus.
* Focal Length: Longer focal lengths (e.g., 85mm, 135mm) tend to compress the background and create a more blurred effect. Shorter focal lengths (e.g., 35mm, 50mm) show more of the background and give a wider perspective.
* Camera Position: Changing your position (higher or lower, left or right) can drastically alter the appearance of the background.
* Composition: Use the rule of thirds, leading lines, and other compositional techniques to create a visually appealing image.
* Angles: Try shooting from different angles to see how the background changes. Sometimes a low angle can make the background appear larger and more imposing, while a high angle can minimize distractions.
5. Ethical and Legal Considerations:
* Permissions: If you're shooting on private property, get permission from the owner.
* Respect nature: Avoid damaging plants or disturbing wildlife.
* Leave no trace: Pack out everything you pack in.
* Be mindful of others: Don't block pathways or disrupt other people's enjoyment of the location.
In summary, finding a great background is an art. It requires careful observation, planning, and a bit of creativity. By considering the subject, scouting locations, and mastering the technical aspects of photography, you can create stunning outdoor portraits that truly capture the essence of your subject.