I. Understanding the Qualities of a Good Background:
* Simplicity: Avoid cluttered, busy backgrounds that distract from your subject. Less is often more.
* Complementary, Not Competing: The background should enhance the subject, not detract from them. Look for colors, textures, and shapes that work *with* the subject's skin tone, clothing, and personality.
* Depth and Dimension: A background with depth adds visual interest and prevents the image from looking flat. Look for leading lines, layers, and areas of varying focus.
* Color Harmony or Contrast: Choose colors that either harmonize beautifully or provide a striking contrast to your subject. Think about color theory (complementary colors, analogous colors, etc.).
* Even Lighting (Generally): Generally, avoid backgrounds with harsh, uneven lighting that can create distracting hot spots or shadows. However, you can use light strategically (see "Using Light to Your Advantage").
* Texture and Pattern: Texture adds visual interest. Think about brick walls, weathered wood, leaves, flowers, water, etc. Patterns can also work well, but be careful that they don't overwhelm the subject.
* Relevance (Sometimes): Sometimes the background can subtly tell a story or provide context. A portrait in front of a meaningful building or landscape can add a layer of meaning.
II. Where to Look for Backgrounds:
* Natural Environments:
* Parks and Gardens: Classic choices with a variety of trees, flowers, ponds, benches, and architectural elements.
* Forests and Woods: Look for interesting light filtering through the trees, textured bark, and paths leading into the distance.
* Beaches: Sand, water, and sky provide clean, simple backdrops. Sunrise and sunset offer amazing light.
* Fields and Meadows: Grasses, wildflowers, and rolling hills can create a dreamy, romantic feel.
* Rivers and Lakes: Reflections in the water add interest and depth.
* Mountains and Hills: Epic views and dramatic landscapes.
* Urban Environments:
* Brick Walls: Great texture and color.
* Colorful Murals and Graffiti: Can be fun and vibrant.
* Unique Architecture: Look for interesting lines, shapes, and textures in buildings.
* Alleys and Passageways: Can provide interesting light and shadow.
* Stairways and Fire Escapes: Adds vertical interest and leading lines.
* Bridges: Offer unique perspectives and architectural elements.
* "Found" Backgrounds: Train yourself to see potential everywhere.
* A well-maintained fence: Rustic charm
* The side of a barn: Weathered wood provides excellent texture.
* A doorway or archway: Creates a natural frame.
* The back of a pickup truck: Can add a vintage or rural feel.
* Metal Doors or Walls Great for an industrial, edgy look
III. Techniques for Using Backgrounds Effectively:
* Aperture (f-stop):
* Wide Aperture (e.g., f/1.8, f/2.8): Creates a shallow depth of field, blurring the background and making the subject stand out. Excellent for isolating the subject.
* Narrow Aperture (e.g., f/8, f/11): Keeps more of the background in focus, providing context and showing the environment. Use this when the background is an important part of the story.
* Focal Length:
* Longer Focal Lengths (e.g., 85mm, 135mm): Compress the background, making it appear closer to the subject. Also help to create a shallower depth of field. Great for portraits that want to isolate the subject.
* Shorter Focal Lengths (e.g., 35mm, 50mm): Capture more of the background and create a sense of space. Good for environmental portraits.
* Composition:
* Rule of Thirds: Place the subject off-center to create a more dynamic composition.
* Leading Lines: Use lines in the background to draw the viewer's eye towards the subject.
* Framing: Use elements in the foreground (e.g., branches, archways) to frame the subject.
* Negative Space: Leave empty space around the subject to create a sense of balance and allow the viewer's eye to rest.
* Angles: Experiment with shooting from different angles (high, low, eye-level) to change the perspective and how the background is perceived.
* Using Light to Your Advantage:
* Golden Hour (Shortly after sunrise and before sunset): Provides warm, soft, and flattering light.
* Open Shade: Find areas that are shaded from direct sunlight (e.g., under a tree, next to a building). This creates even, diffused light.
* Backlighting: Position the subject with the sun behind them, creating a rim of light around their hair and shoulders. You may need to use a reflector or fill flash to brighten the subject's face.
* Diffusers: Use a diffuser to soften harsh sunlight.
* Reflectors: Use a reflector to bounce light back onto the subject's face and fill in shadows.
* Subject Placement:
* Consider the Background: Move your subject around to see how they interact with different parts of the background.
* Avoid Distractions: Make sure there are no distracting elements (e.g., a tree branch sticking out of their head) behind your subject.
* Communicate with Your Subject:
* Direct them: Help them pose naturally and feel comfortable in the environment.
* Tell them about the background: Explain why you chose that particular background and how it contributes to the overall image.
IV. Practical Tips & Workflow:
1. Scout Locations: Before your photoshoot, scout potential locations to identify interesting backgrounds. Look for different lighting conditions at different times of day.
2. Take Test Shots: Take test shots without your subject to evaluate the background and lighting.
3. Start with a Simple Background: If you're new to outdoor portraits, begin with a simple background (e.g., a blank wall, a field of grass) and gradually experiment with more complex options.
4. Pay Attention to Details: Check for distracting elements in the background and remove them if possible (e.g., a piece of trash, a stray branch). Alternatively, change your position to exclude them.
5. Edit with Purpose: In post-processing, you can further refine the background by adjusting colors, contrast, and sharpness. You can also use techniques like dodging and burning to draw attention to the subject and minimize distractions in the background.
6. Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you shoot, the better you'll become at seeing and utilizing great backgrounds.
7. Get Inspired: Look at the work of other portrait photographers to see how they use backgrounds effectively.
8. Consider the Season: The season significantly impacts the available colors and textures. Autumn offers vibrant foliage, while winter provides a stark, minimalist backdrop.
9. Respect the Environment: Leave the location as you found it. Don't damage plants or disturb wildlife.
10. Think About the Story: What message do you want the portrait to convey? The background can help you tell that story. A portrait of a musician might look great in front of a concert hall, while a portrait of a nature lover would be best in a park or forest.
By combining these techniques and paying close attention to the details, you can consistently find and utilize great backgrounds to create stunning outdoor portraits. Good luck and happy shooting!