I. Before You Even Go Out:
* Consider Your Subject & Their Style:
* Personality: Is your subject outgoing or more reserved? The background should complement their personality.
* Clothing: What colors are they wearing? You want the background to harmonize or provide a pleasing contrast. Avoid clashing colors and busy patterns that will distract from the subject.
* Occupation/Hobbies: Can the background hint at something they enjoy or do? (e.g., a musician in front of a cool wall with graffiti-like art, a gardener in a lush garden).
* Light is King: Determine the time of day you'll be shooting. The "golden hours" (shortly after sunrise and before sunset) offer soft, warm light. Overcast days provide even, diffused light. Harsh midday sun can be challenging, requiring you to find shade.
* Research and Location Scouting:
* Online Resources: Use Google Maps (especially Street View), Instagram (search by location tags), Pinterest, and photography forums to discover potential spots.
* Ask Around: Local photographers, friends, and community members might know hidden gems.
* Visit Potential Locations in Advance: This is crucial! See how the light falls at different times of day and identify specific areas you like.
II. On Location: Scouting and Selection
* Look for These Elements:
* Simplicity: Often, the best backgrounds are uncluttered and don't compete with your subject. A plain wall, a patch of green grass, or a blurred natural scene can be highly effective.
* Color: Consider color harmony or contrast.
* Harmony: Colors that are close to each other on the color wheel (e.g., shades of green, blues and purples).
* Contrast: Colors that are opposite each other (e.g., orange and blue, red and green). Use contrast thoughtfully, as it can be visually striking but also potentially overwhelming.
* Texture: Textured walls (brick, stone, wood), foliage, or even water can add visual interest.
* Depth: Look for backgrounds that create depth, such as pathways, rows of trees, or converging lines. Depth separates your subject from the background and adds a sense of dimension.
* Leading Lines: Paths, fences, walls, or rows of trees that draw the viewer's eye towards the subject.
* Natural Frames: Trees, arches, doorways, or even blurred foreground elements can frame your subject and draw attention to them.
* Repeating Patterns: Rows of flowers, fences, or architectural details can create a visually appealing background.
* Bokeh Potential: Areas that, when shot with a wide aperture (low f-number like f/2.8 or f/1.8), will create a soft, blurry background, isolating your subject.
* Consider Different Perspectives:
* Shoot Low: Lying down or crouching can reveal interesting foreground elements or change the angle of the background.
* Shoot High: Climbing a small hill or using a higher vantage point can give you a different perspective and simplify the background.
* Move Around: Even a small change in your position can drastically alter the background. Experiment with different angles and viewpoints.
* Pay Attention to the Details:
* Distracting Elements: Be mindful of power lines, trash cans, cars, and other distractions in the background. You can often reposition yourself or your subject to eliminate them. Sometimes, you can clone them out in post-processing, but it's better to avoid them in the first place.
* Horizon Line: Make sure the horizon line is straight. You usually don't want it cutting directly through your subject's head. Consider tilting the camera slightly for a more dynamic composition (but do it intentionally).
III. Working with Your Chosen Background:
* Aperture (f-stop):
* Wide Aperture (e.g., f/1.8, f/2.8, f/4): Creates shallow depth of field, blurring the background and making your subject stand out. Ideal for isolating your subject and creating a dreamy, artistic look. This is the most common choice for portraits.
* Narrow Aperture (e.g., f/8, f/11, f/16): Keeps more of the scene in focus, including the background. Use this if you want to show more of the environment or when shooting group portraits.
* Focal Length:
* Longer Focal Lengths (e.g., 85mm, 135mm, 200mm): Compress the background, making it appear closer to the subject. They also tend to create a more flattering perspective for portraits.
* Shorter Focal Lengths (e.g., 35mm, 50mm): Widen the field of view, showing more of the surroundings. Be careful with wide-angle lenses as they can distort facial features if you get too close.
* Subject Placement:
* Rule of Thirds: Position your subject off-center, using the rule of thirds to create a more balanced and visually appealing composition.
* Leading Room: Give your subject space to "look into" or "move into" within the frame. If they are looking to the left, position them on the right side of the frame.
* Consider Lines: Place the subject on interesting lines in the background, creating a visual anchor.
* Posing:
* Be Mindful of the Background: Choose poses that work well with the background. For example, if you're shooting in front of a textured wall, you might want your subject to lean against it or interact with it.
* Communication is Key: Guide your subject and give them clear instructions. Help them relax and feel comfortable in front of the camera.
* Lighting:
* Use Natural Light to Your Advantage: Position your subject to make the most of the available light. Look for open shade, diffused light, or use a reflector to bounce light onto your subject.
* Fill Flash (Optional): In situations where the light is harsh or uneven, a fill flash can help to balance the exposure and reduce shadows on your subject's face.
* Post-Processing:
* Color Grading: Adjust the colors in your image to create a specific mood or style.
* Dodge and Burn: Lighten and darken specific areas of the image to enhance details and create depth.
* Remove Distractions: Use cloning or healing tools to remove any distracting elements from the background.
Key Takeaways:
* Practice: The more you shoot, the better you'll become at identifying great backgrounds.
* Experiment: Don't be afraid to try new things and break the rules.
* Have Fun! Photography should be enjoyable.
By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to finding and using amazing backgrounds for your outdoor portraits!