I. Scouting and Identifying Potential Backgrounds:
* Location Scouting Beforehand:
* Time of Day: Visit potential locations at the time of day you plan to shoot. The light changes drastically and can make a good background amazing or terrible. Pay attention to how the light interacts with the background elements.
* Seasons: Consider the seasonal changes in vegetation, colors, and overall atmosphere. Fall foliage, spring blooms, or even a snowy landscape can add unique character.
* Direction of Sunlight: Use a compass app or knowledge of sunrise/sunset direction to predict how the light will fall. Backlighting, sidelighting, or direct sunlight will create different moods.
* Look for Leading Lines: Roads, fences, paths, rivers, or even rows of trees can draw the viewer's eye into the portrait.
* "Background Distractions" Check: Critically assess each potential spot for unwanted elements (trash cans, construction signs, busy roads, etc.) that could detract from the subject.
* While Shooting:
* Keep Your Eyes Open: Be observant as you move around the location. Sometimes the best backgrounds are unexpected and only revealed from a specific angle or position.
* Look Up and Down: Don't just focus on what's at eye level. Overhanging trees, dramatic skies, or interesting ground textures can make unique backgrounds.
* Walk Around Your Subject: Changing your shooting angle by walking around your subject can completely transform the background.
II. Types of Backgrounds and What to Look For:
* Natural Backgrounds:
* Trees: Woods, individual trees, rows of trees - offer textures, patterns, and can frame the subject.
* Consider: Leaf color, density, shapes, and trunk textures. Avoid distracting bright spots of sky poking through the leaves.
* Fields and Meadows: Open spaces with grass, wildflowers, or crops. Creates a sense of openness and tranquility.
* Consider: Color and texture of the vegetation, height of the grass, and any interesting features like fences or barns.
* Water: Oceans, lakes, rivers, ponds. Reflective qualities, movement, and vastness.
* Consider: Water color, reflections, waves, and the shoreline.
* Skies: Clouds, sunsets, sunrises. Creates mood and drama.
* Consider: Cloud formations, colors, and the overall weather. Overcast skies can provide soft, even light.
* Rocks and Cliffs: Texture, shapes, and grandeur.
* Consider: Color, texture, and size of the rocks.
* Man-Made Backgrounds:
* Architecture: Interesting buildings, walls, doorways, bridges.
* Consider: Architectural style, colors, textures, and symmetry. Avoid overly busy backgrounds that compete with the subject.
* Fences and Walls: Rustic, textured, or colorful. Can create lines and add character.
* Consider: Materials (wood, brick, metal), colors, and any interesting details.
* Murals and Street Art: Unique and vibrant.
* Consider: The mural's style, colors, and how it complements the subject's attire and personality.
* Urban Textures: Brick walls, alleys, graffiti, industrial settings. Edgy and modern.
* Consider: The overall mood and how it relates to the subject.
III. Camera Settings and Techniques for Background Control:
* Aperture (f-stop): This is *the most important setting* for controlling background blur (bokeh).
* Wide Aperture (e.g., f/1.4, f/2.8, f/4): Creates a shallow depth of field, blurring the background and isolating the subject. Ideal for distracting or busy backgrounds.
* Narrow Aperture (e.g., f/8, f/11, f/16): Creates a greater depth of field, keeping more of the background in focus. Useful when you want the background to be a part of the story and provide context.
* Focal Length: Longer focal lengths (e.g., 85mm, 135mm, 200mm) compress the background and create more background blur than wider focal lengths (e.g., 24mm, 35mm, 50mm).
* Distance to Subject and Background: The farther the subject is from the background, the more blurred the background will be. Similarly, the closer the subject is to the camera, the more blurred the background will be.
* Camera Angle: Changing your shooting angle can drastically alter the appearance of the background. Shoot from a lower angle to emphasize a dramatic sky or from a higher angle to minimize distracting elements on the ground.
* Composition Techniques:
* Rule of Thirds: Place the subject off-center to create a more visually interesting composition and allow the background to contribute to the story.
* Framing: Use natural elements like trees, doorways, or arches to frame the subject and draw attention to them.
* Leading Lines: Use lines in the background to guide the viewer's eye towards the subject.
IV. Key Considerations for Background Choice:
* Color Palette: Choose a background with colors that complement or contrast with the subject's attire and skin tone. Avoid clashing colors that distract from the subject.
* Simplicity: Sometimes, a simple background is the most effective. Avoid backgrounds that are too busy or distracting.
* Texture: Interesting textures in the background can add depth and visual interest to the portrait.
* Light: Pay attention to how the light falls on the background. Backlighting, sidelighting, and direct sunlight can all create different moods and effects.
* Relationship to Subject: Does the background tell a story about the subject? Does it reflect their personality or interests?
V. Post-Processing:
* Slight Blur: Even with careful choices, you might want to subtly enhance background blur in post-processing (e.g., using Gaussian Blur in Photoshop). Use sparingly to avoid a fake look.
* Color Adjustments: Adjust the colors in the background to complement the subject and create a cohesive look.
* Dodge and Burn: Use dodging and burning to subtly lighten or darken areas of the background to draw attention to the subject.
VI. Ethical Considerations:
* Respect Private Property: Always ask permission before shooting on private property.
* Leave No Trace: Be mindful of the environment and avoid damaging or disturbing natural areas.
* Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Pay attention to traffic, wildlife, and other potential hazards.
By following these guidelines, you can consistently find and utilize great backgrounds to create stunning outdoor portraits that capture the essence of your subjects. Remember that practice and experimentation are key to developing your eye for composition and background selection. Good luck!