Photography By Michelle

The Photography Background Is Among The Three Tips To Take Your Images To A whole new level!

photo — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:13:14 +0000

Whenever you’ve made a handful of pictures and gotten some compliments on your capabilities, it really is simply expected to desire to accomplish more using your camera. But unless you are an expert, you might not realize where to start. One very important photo technique relates to the photography background. Correctly using a photography background will INSTANTANEOUSLY sky rocket your work to a complete new level.

Listed here are 3 other indispensable ways to get improvement to your work…

Shooting a lot more pictures often is the best way to start escalating your picture shooting abilities. The more pictures you shoot, the more you will learn concerning the best way to compose an image and how to bring about a stunning result. Try taking pictures of everything you find around you. Always bring a camera along with you throughout the day. Make photos of nature and shoot photos of architecture to see what works and what does not. When you get the pictures back from the printer or else you upload them to your computer, evaluate the images to see what worked and what did not. Make mental observations of what you could potentially have done better with each photograph. If you can, go back and try to shoot the image again if you wish to perfect it.

The first step is: Experience.

Experience is really the most effective tutor for your image shooting. The more you are attempting to shoot pictures, the better you’ll naturally become – even though it doesn’t seem like you are trying. Here are several fast instructions to apply while you are taking more photos:

1. Take into consideration the way you are centering the models in the frame.
2. Take into consideration attempting off center subjects, like bridges, as an example to see what they look like.
3. Pay attention to the photography background! A busy setting ruins a lot more pictures than you may think!
4. Test different lighting resources, intensities, directionality.
5. Test moving close to a model and shooting the subject from far away after which zooming in.
6. Do the shot at eye level, up high and down low.

The 2nd step is : The camera instruction booklet.

This tip to improving your pictures is a simple one that many of us just simply do not consider to do – read the camera instruction booklet. Even if you don’t have a digital camera using a lot of various options, your instruction booklet is frequently the key to making better pictures with minimal effort. Read the instruction booklet to see what information it can provide you along with what different options a camera may have that you just didn’t know it had. Such as, with lots of digital cameras, there’s a function for shooting close up pictures of flowers, however some of us do not realize this.

Sit down for a day and read your instruction booklet and then experiment with what you discover in the pages. You might discover you’ve been working with the wrong film or that there are other settings that may have made the image better. In the end, you must understand what a camera can do before you are able to do more with it.

The 3rd tip is: Your equipment.

And finally, the 3rd tip to boosting your photographyto the next level can be a matter of buying the best camera. Digital SLR cameras are the most recent rage for camera hobbyists and pros, however simply upgrading to a camera with a higher megapixel choice can also give you increased quality in your photographs. Sorry to tell you, the camera inside your mobile phone just will not measure up.

For people with a normal film camera, you may want to experiment with lenses and different grades of film to see if you can boost the image quality.

You may also want to consider attending a nearby class in photography. Frequently community centers will offer these lessons on a regular basis, and they can help you network with a lot of photography lovers in addition to discovering how to use a camera more effectively.

After that, in addition to your camera, another bit of important “apparatus” that many of us don’t consider is a high quality photography background. Attempt making an “Old Masters” variety photography background. They aren’t hard to make but will truly produce a gigantic difference to your photography.It is undoubtedly the simplest and quickest way to provide your photography a polished professional look.

Finally, increasing your camera ability is really a question of experience and also a question of obtaining finest photo gear you’re able to find the money for – together with a nice photography background (you can create it by hand). After that, you only should be in the field shooting a lot more pictures to enhance the likelihood of getting that winning photograph.

The Photography Background Is One Of The 3 Tips To Move Your Pictures To A whole new level!

photo — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 03:58:05 +0000

Whenever you’ve taken a handful of pictures and received some compliments on your skills, it really is simply natural to desire to achieve more with your camera. But unless you’re a professional, you probably won’t understand where to start. One very important photo technique relates to the photography background. Properly using a photography background will INSTANTANEOUSLY zoom your work to a complete new level.

Here’s 3 additional fundamental ways to see enhancement in your photography…

Taking a lot more pictures is the best route to start escalating your picture shooting abilities. The greater number of pictures you shoot, the more you’ll understand on the subject of the best way to compose a photograph and the way to create a beautiful result. Try making pictures of everything around you. Constantly bring a camera along with you throughout the day. Take pictures of nature and take pictures of architecture to determine what works and what does not. When you get the photos back from the printer or you add them to your PC, look at the images to determine what worked and what didn’t. Make mental notes of what you could potentially have done better with every photo. If it’s possible, go back and try to take the photo over again if you wish to perfect it.

The first step is: Experience.

Experience is de facto the most effective tutor for your picture shooting. The more often you try to take pictures, the better you will naturally turn out to be – even though it does not look like you’re trying. Listed here are several short good tips to apply while you are making more pictures:

1. Take into consideration how you are inserting the subjects within the frame.
2. Take into consideration attempting off center topics, like bridges, as an example , to find out what they look like.
3. Take note of the photography background! A cluttered backdrop ruins a lot more images than you might imagine!
4. Try unusual lighting sources, intensities, directionality.
5. Attempt going in close to a model and shooting the subject from far away and zooming in.
6. Do the shot from eye level, up high and down low.

The 2nd step is : The camera manual.

This technique to improving your photos is a straightforward one that many of us just simply tend not to think doing – study the camera manual. Even when you don’t have a digital camera including a ton of various functions, your manual can often be vital to making improved photos with negligible work. Peruse the manual to determine what advice it can give you in addition to what different functions a camera may have that you simply didn’t know it had. E.g., on lots of digital cameras, there’s a function for shooting close up pictures of flowers, however a lot of people do not realize this.

Sit down for a day and skim the manual after which you can try out what you discover in the pages. You may discover that you have been working with the wrong film or that there’s other settings that may have made the photo better. After all, you need to determine what a camera can do before you are able to do more with it.

The 3rd technique is: Your tools.

And finally, the third technique to boosting your photographyto the next level can be a matter of purchasing the best camera. Digital SLR cameras are the most recent rage for camera hobbyists and pros, although merely upgrading to a camera with a higher megapixel range can offer you more clarity in your photos. Sad to say, the camera as part of your cell phone really will not cut it.

If you have a standard film camera, you may want to experiment with lenses and different grades of film to determine if you can boost the image quality.

You might also want to think about taking a local class in photography. Often community centers offer these lessons on a regular basis, and they can assist you to network with a lot of photography lovers including discovering how to employ a camera more effectively.

After that, in addition to a camera, a further piece of significant “gear” that many of us don’t think about is a good quality photography background. Attempt creating an “Old Masters” variety photography background. They aren’t challenging to produce and will in truth produce a big difference in your photos.It’s undoubtedly the simplest and fastest way to give your shooting a cultured professional look.

In the end, improving your camera expertise is really a matter of familiarity along with a matter of obtaining top equipment you can afford – as well as a nice photography background (you can make it by hand). Then, you only should be in the field shooting a lot more pictures to boost the probability of shooting that winning photograph.

Improving Your Photography Background With A Chroma Key Backdrop!

photo — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:41:43 +0000

Have you gotten to the point of being sick and tired of photographing (and viewing) the same old photography, time and time again? You’ve heard rumors that “green screen” may be the way to go, but you don’t truly understand it or even know a lot about it? Here’s all you must know to apply it as a photography background!

Firstly…What exactly is it?

You will hear the expressions “green screen”, “blue screen”, and “chroma key” tossed around and employed to mean the same thing when discussing a photography background.

Chroma key simply could be defined as using a backdrop that is one un-patterned, uniformly lit color. The blue and green are the most common hues. In fact, you could use ANY color – but blue and green are best. I will explain why that is the situation in a second.

Chroma key strategies can be used in either video and still images. You shoot somebody in front of the chroma key then we later (or at the same time working with high quality video cameras) you subtract the solid color and exchange it with any type of backdrop you would like!

That’s the way your local weatherman/woman does the weather report. They are standing in front of a green screen and the camera digitally removes it and replaces it with your local weather map. They are watching themselves on a monitor to determine where to point and so on. That’s perplexing and more difficult than you may think to be a weather reporter!

Next…Why green or blue?

Normally we use green and blue because they’re the furthest from the colors present in skin tones. The procedure was initially done with blue, although as the standard of cameras improves, green seems to work better. It is a lot easier to strip from the backdrop, so most studios are switching to green. However it does not hurt to own both.

An added beneficial point for green is that it creates less apparel conflicts.

Since the color is mechanically stripped out and replaced, if the model is wearing a hue of that color (blue) in their clothing…it will be changed. You can time and again see shirts and ties that become peculiar appearing holes in the model – showing through to the brand new background.

It’s even happened among blue eyes!

Green tends to create less of a apparel conflict, it truly is a lot easier for your cameras to work with and it’s simpler and easier to light uniformly.

Smooth illumination is essential because shadows falling on the backdrop will appear in the final product. This could ruin the realistic effect of the photography background. And, with irregular lighting, you would obtain numerous hues of the color…some of which may not get removed correctly.

The three major varieties of chroma key backgrounds are: paint, paper and fabric.

Paint is useful if you have a studio which has a cove and you do all your projects there…you’ll find it useless in the event you ever would like to shoot on location.

Paper can be purchased in huge rolls, but is easily torn and always needs replacing. This may get expensive in a hurry.

Cloth tends to live longest and is transportable. And fabric is simple to wash (unclean chroma key backgrounds do not work well).

Any fabric supplier can offer some material that could accomplish the task. Buy a little and do some playing around with your photography background, any photo editing program is able to strip out the color. Take a crack at it, you will enjoy it!

Making Use Of A Green Screen Photography Background!

photo — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:59:36 +0000

Are you sick and tired of photographing (and viewing) the same old photos, over and over again? You’ve discovered that “green screen” is a route to go, except you do not truly comprehend it or even know much about it? Here is all you have to know to utilize it as a photography background!

First…What is it?

You will hear the labels “green screen”, “blue screen”, and “chroma key” thrown around and used to mean the same thing when discussing a photography background.

Chroma key simply could be defined as having a background which is one un-patterned, evenly lit color. The green and blue are the most typical hues. In fact, you could employ ANY color – however green and blue are easiest. I’ll make clear why that’s the case in a moment.

Green screen strategies can be employed during either video and still work. You photograph somebody in front of the chroma key then we later (or simultaneously working with high quality video cameras) you do away with the solid color and trade it using any type of backdrop you want!

It is the way your local meteorologist does the weather report. They’re standing in front of a green screen and the camera digitally deletes it and replaces it with the local weather map. They’re looking at themselves on a television monitor to find out where to point and so on. It’s perplexing and harder than you may think to be a weather reporter!

Secondly…Why use green or blue?

Typically we have a tendency to utilize green and blue since they are the farthest away from the colors present in skin tones. The technique was primarily done with blue, however as the standard of cameras improves, green seems to work more efficiently. It is easier to strip from the background, consequently most studios are changing to green. Nevertheless it doesn’t hurt to get them both.

An additional advantageous point for green is that it creates fewer apparel conflicts.

Considering that color is automatically eliminated and replaced, if the subject is wearing a shade of that color (blue) as part of their clothing…it will be replaced. You’ll frequently see shirts and ties that become peculiar appearing holes in the subject – showing through to the brand new background.

It’s even happened among blue eyes!

Green tends to bring about less of a apparel conflict, it’s a lot easier for your cameras to work with also it’s simpler to light evenly.

Flat illumination is crucial since shadows on the background will show in the final effect. This tends to destroy the realism of the photography background. And more, working with uneven lights, you’d obtain assorted hues of the color…some of which might not get eliminated correctly.

The 3 major types of chroma key backgrounds are: paint, fabric and paper.

Paint is useful if you have a studio using a cove and you do all your projects there…you’ll find it useless in the event you ever would like to shoot on location.

Paper comes in large rolls, but is easily torn and regularly needs replacing. This will get expensive in a hurry.

Fabric tends to survive longest and is movable. And fabric is simple to clean (dirty chroma key backgrounds don’t work well).

Any fabric supplier can provide some cloth which will do the task. Buy some and do some playing around with your photography background, any photo editing program can take out the color. Test it, you’ll enjoy it!

The Wedding Of Your Dream Can Be Stylish And Affordable

photo — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 04:53:07 +0000

The cost of weddings is now tens of thousands of dollars more than it used to be. It is crazy to consider how much people are willing to spend on one day, but if you think about how special the day is, it is easy to see how people can get wrapped up in the planning and end up with a bloated budget. You will be sharing the day with your friends and relatives and you need to have space for them and food to feed them. While you may want to extend the hospitality and serve the greatest gourmet meal anyone has ever tasted, it is going to cost you a fortune to do so. However, there are ways to have the wedding of your dreams without starting your new marriage deeply in debt from the day. The key is deciding what your priorities are. If you had your senior pictures taken at a great Cincinnati photography studio, see if that place is still in business and maybe they can offer you a great deal.

Photographs are an important part of any wedding because you want to make sure you have memories of the occasion. You could cut the cost of these memories by choosing photographs only and foregoing a video tape of the wedding.

Another cost saving measure is cutting the guest list. You may want to extend an invitation to everyone you have ever met, but the fact is, that gets expensive. If you have a more intimate ceremony and party, it will free up a great deal of cost to put together what you have envisioned. You will be able to spend more on your dress, more on the ceremony site, and more on the individuals who are in attendance because you are not trying to spread your budget across hundreds of people.

In some cases, this will free up money for a honeymoon trip. This will be the first week of your married life, so it should be a special getaway for relaxing and connecting.

If the large guest list cannot be compromised, you are going to have to make some choices. Lots of people means simple choices for how everyone is going to celebrate. Consider holding the ceremony and reception in an informal location. Serve foods that are more casual Pin nature than an elaborate plated wedding dinner. This is going to save you a bundle when you are feeding hundreds of hungry mouths. Also consider cutting down on the cost of beverages. If the important thing is being surrounded by droves of people, you can still celebrate in a cost effective way.

The Photography Background – A Must Have For Every Photo Shooter!

photo — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 04:48:28 +0000

One of the easiest ways to separate your photography from “the crowd” would be to concentrate more on your photography background.

Current cameras are so highly developed that nearly anybody can get a reasonably exposed, in focus photograph. Notice, I said reasonably exposed and in focus …even with the super technology we’ve got these days, we still ought to understand a bit regarding good, old fashioned photography tactics so as to rise above the group in the snapshot level and start moving into the realm of art.

First up is a technique for giving your projects a professional appearance. That’s done with a pro photography background.

Let’s face it, for those who have a beautiful, white, black or hand painted “Old Masters” style background, you will instantly leap ahead of the snapshot crowd and will quickly turn out to be the go to photographer in the area.

As soon as your relatives and friends need a pleasant photograph, they will think of YOU. (And, they will stop hiding when they see you approaching – you KNOW what I mean.)

The best part re using a photography background is that it makes it possible to control what is occurring behind your model. You will have no more “horns” protruding out of their head – no more distracting elements like traffic, other people and even litter on the ground.

One perceived drawback to using a photography background is that everybody assumes it’s essential to have a large photo studio including a bunch of expensive professional lighting to make it work.

This is not true!

Aided by the careful use of your on camera flash, several reflectors and possibly even a mirror or mirror finished plastic, it is possible to produce the equivalent of a five light set!

I’ve seen it accomplished and in the completed photograph, you can’t tell it had been all reflectors and mirrors.

By the way, as an alternative to your on camera flash, an identical result can be accomplished by means of the sun as the light source. Hang your background from the branches of a tree, set up a number of reflectors and shoot away! Your family members will think it had been all done in a photo studio!

The fundamentals that ought to be in any photographer’s arsenal are – at the very minimum – a white background, a black one as well as a gray “Old Masters” type.

The white one could be a bed sheet, piece of muslin, canvas or any white fabric. Don’t fold it up or you will not like the outcome – the white will be inclined to show wrinkles and creases. To start with, iron the background and then roll it on a tube. (Purchase a little PVC piping at a nearby “do it yourself” store. Something like 3 or 4 inches in diameter should do nicely.)

The black photography background can once more be any type of fabric, however “Duck Canvas” is my favorite. Using black, wrinkles are not as much of an issue, but the background – actually ALL the backdrops – need to be rolled up as well.

With the “Old Masters” variety, I like to recommend gray because by striking it with a colored light source, gray is an easy color to change. In this way, you can make any color background you require.

Try getting a little photography background fabric and shoot a few pictures of a loved one. You will not regret it!

The Best Ever Way To Making Amazing Photos – The Photography Background!

photo — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 04:15:46 +0000

Does your photography not quite live up to your creative vision? Want to know how to put “pizzazz” in your images? The team at PartTimePhotography.com has produced a brand new “photography background Creation” tutorial that will immediately move your photos to a whole new stage – with a very small budget.

For most of us, creating reasonable exposures is simply a matter of using our camera’s options on automatic and shooting away. However the one thing our camera CAN’T achieve for us is to create a stunning, professional looking backdrop.

That’s a huge creative feature that separates the professionals from the amateurs.

Hand painted, material backdrops can cost THOUSANDS of dollars. Far too much for many beginner budgets…consequently, until now, we’ve resigned ourselves to shooting without them and dreaming of – someday.

That someday has arrived. Part Time Photography has produced a tutorial training all of us the way to create professional quality photography backdrops for pennies on the dollar! In fact, they assert that you could produce 4 beautiful backdrops for approximately the cost of shipping on just ONE of the commercially made types.

With this quick, on line video tutorial, you’ll first learn what supplies are necessary and where to acquire them… You then will make your first photography background – a blue, “Old Masters” style in addition to learning multiple ways of using it to get different effects.

Next up, you’ll make a red backdrop – then a black one and finally gray. They are in the favored “Old Masters” style that photo shooters have gravitated to for decades.

When complete (they each merely take a few minutes to make) – you’ll be able to roll them up, toss them in your automobile, and never be without an image backdrop again!

The 2nd section shows you an easy way to create a background that is expandable and can be used on any size “set”.

The next section covers chroma key backdrops…their history, why you sometimes see a blue screen and other times a green one…and the way to acquire and use your own. Again, you will have your own for pennies on the dollar.

At last, the course reveals the way to absolutely master your camera, lenses and lighting equipment so that – using the basic backdrops you’ve already learned to generate – you’ll be able to turn them into any color (and any shade of that color) backdrop – at will, without conjecture. It is a very advanced technique that not many photo shooters understand. Even most professionals fall short with this area.

Stunning, “Old Masters” style backdrops are actually within the financial reach of even the greenest of newbies. By the time you’ve gone through the materials and produced your 4 photography backgrounds, your images will rocket to a new level and begin to actually become an art form and not only a recording medium.

For further information on the new photography background tutorial, simply head to: http://www.PartTimePhotography.com/PhotographyBackground.html

The Photography Background – An Indispensible Photographers Tool

photo — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 09:47:35 +0000

Certainly one of the simplest ways to separate your work from “the crowd” is to concentrate more on your photography background.

Contemporary cameras are so highly developed that almost everybody can get a reasonably exposed, in focus photo. Note, I said reasonably exposed as well as in focus …even when using the super technology we have today, we nevertheless have to find out a bit about good, old fashioned photography procedures so that you can rise above the crowd at the snapshot level and begin moving into the realm of fine art.

First up is a method for giving your photos a pro look. Which is done with a pro photography background.

Let us face it, if you have a gorgeous, white, black or hand painted “Old Masters” style background, you will instantly shoot ahead of the snapshot crowd and can quickly develop into the go to shooter in the area.

As soon as your relatives and friends want a nice photo, they’re going to think of YOU. (And, they’re going to stop hiding when they notice you approaching – you KNOW what I mean.)

The best part regarding using a photography background is that it makes it possible to have power over what is happening to the rear of your model. There will be no more “horns” sticking out of the head – no more distracting elements like traffic, other people or just garbage on the ground.

One perceived downside to using a photography background is that everybody assumes you must use a great big photo studio including a bunch of expensive pro lighting to make it work.

This isn’t the situation!

Aided by the well thought-out use of your on camera flash, a few reflectors and perhaps even a mirror or mirror finished plastic, it is possible to produce the equivalent of a five light arrangement!

I have seen it accomplished and on the finished photo, you cannot tell it was all reflectors and mirrors.

By the way, as opposed to your on camera flash, an identical effect could be accomplished using the sun as your light source. Drape your background over the branches of a tree, employ several reflectors and fire away! Your family members will think it was all done in a photo studio!

The essentials that ought to be in every photographer’s collection are – at the very minimum – a white background, a black one and then a gray “Old Masters” variety.

The white one generally is a bed sheet, piece of muslin, canvas or any other white fabric. Do not fold it up or you will not like the results – the white will have a tendency to show wrinkles and creases. To start with, iron the background and then we roll it onto a cylindar. (Get some PVC piping at any nearby “do it yourself” store. Something like three or four inches in diameter should work nicely.)

The black photography background can once more be any type of fabric, but “Duck Canvas” is my favorite. Using black, wrinkles are not as much of a problem, however the background – actually every one of your backgrounds – ought to be rolled up as well.

For the “Old Masters” variety, I like to recommend gray since by striking it with a colored light source, gray is an easy color to modify. In this way, you can also make any color background you desire.

Test buying some photography background fabric and shoot some pictures of a loved one. You will not look back!

The Photography Background – The Major Difference Between Pro And Beginner!

photo — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 05:57:55 +0000

If you are fascinated with photography – and need to move your photos to a whole new, higher level – the important thing to success would be the photography background!

Among the main distinctions between novice and professional photography is that the professional has learned to control and manipulate the photography background – where the novice focuses all their consideration on the subject and frequently just lets the background come about on its own.

Have you ever been so caught up in your model and lights and so on that (when you have a look at the completed photograph) you discover an enormous rubbish can – behind your subject – spilling rubbish all over the ground? In every photo? And you never even noticed it during the photo session!

Or, maybe you have been guilty of having tree branches seeming to erupt from the subject’s head, like horns?

They are silly blunders that are effortlessly resolved and can rapidly raise your photography’s impact.

The bad news is we do not actually notice how much better our pictures are! Let’s face it; if you don’t have garbage or horns and so on, you don’t stop to consider how much better your photo is…you just don’t notice. Our attention only comes to bear if we overlook something and mess up (we all do every so often).

If you want respect for your artistic accomplishments, you CANNOT allow these problems into your photos. It is really an easy fix…only remember to think about the setting and every one of the four corners within the viewfinder before you click the shutter button – and then you tweak accordingly.

If you have a difficult time remembering, get a strip of masking tape and write – in huge black print – “CHECK THE BACKGROUND”. Next place the tape on the rear of your camera. It will help remind you until it becomes a habit.

You won’t ever be aware of the number of photos you’ve saved, however it’s definitely worth the effort.

The following most straightforward photography background technique – to make your subject “explode” from your shot – would be to isolate them.

I am sure you’ve looked at photos where the subject is in clear, razor-sharp focus – however the background is totally out of focus and is nothing but a wash of color.

That is accomplished by manipulating the depth of field.

Depth of field determines just how much of your photograph is in focus. You’ll find entire books written about this subject (heck, I penned one myself!) but the easiest ways to achieve this “wash of color” method are to:

1. Employ the greatest focal length lens you can.
2. Open it up towards the widest aperture possible – this would be the lowest f-stop numeral.
3. Make the background as far behind the model as is practicable. Or else position the model as far in front of the backdrop as you possibly can.

Plainly each one of the 3 procedures has numerous variables. Through adjusting the choices available to you, you can make your photography background as focused or unfocused as you would like. There is no right or wrong.

Totally out of focus, partly in focus, sharp as a tack…this is now the point where your inventive eye comes into the picture.

When you’ve mastered the “in camera” strategies of manipulating the backgrounds, next it is time to consider getting selected fabric backgrounds. This can give your photography a pro “photo studio” look.

A top notch quality backdrop can literally cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars. So, rather than shelling out the big bucks, I like to recommend creating your own. Happily a photography background is easy to make and can be made for pennies on the dollar.

Pay attention to your photography background and you can be shooting professional level photos very quickly.

The Photography Background – Instantly Shoot Stunning Photography!

photo — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 05:33:29 +0000

If you’re enthusiastic about photography – and wish to move your photography to a whole new, higher level – the key to success would be the photography background!

One of the important distinctions between amateur and pro photography is the pro has learned to control and manipulate the photography background – where the amateur focuses all their consideration on the subject and usually merely lets the background come about on its own.

Have you ever been so caught up in your model and lighting and so on that (when you look at the completed shot) you see a huge waste can – right behind your subject – spilling rubbish all over the ground? In every photograph? Plus you didn’t even see it during the photo sitting!

Or, have you been guilty of having tree branches seeming to erupt out of the subject’s head, similar to horns?

They are stupid errors which are easily fixed and will quickly enhance your photography’s impact.

The unpleasant news is we do not in actuality notice how much better our images are! Let’s face it; if you don’t have garbage or horns and so on, you never pause to consider how significantly better your photograph is…you just do not notice. Our attention only comes to bear if we overlook something and screw up (we all do on occasion).

If you would like respect for your creative activities, you can’t allow these problems into your photography. It is a simple fix…only remember to think about the background and all 4 corners in the viewfinder before you press the shutter button – next you modify accordingly.

For those who have a hard time remembering, acquire a strip of masking tape and jot down – in huge black lettering – “CHECK THE BACKDROP”. Next stick the masking tape to the rear of your camera. It will help prompt you until it turns into a habit.

You will never realize how many images you have rescued, but it’s well worth the effort.

The following most simple photography background procedure – to make your subject “pop” out of your shot – is to isolate them.

I am positive you have seen photography where the subject is in clear, razor-sharp focus – but the backdrop is totally out of focus and is nothing but a wash of color.

It is accomplished by controlling the depth of field.

Depth of field establishes how much of your shot is in focus. There are actually complete books written regarding this area (heck, I penned one myself!) but the easiest ways to achieve this “wash of color” technique are to:

1. Employ the longest focal length lens possible.
2. Open it up to the widest aperture possible – this is the lowest f-stop numeral.
3. Place the backdrop as far behind the model as is doable. Or place the model as far in front of the background as you are able to.

Obviously each one of the 3 procedures has quite a few variables. By adjusting the options open to you, you can make your photography background as focused or de-focused as you would like. There is no right or wrong.

Entirely out of focus, partially in focus, sharp as a tack…this is now where your creative eye comes into play.

Once you’ve mastered the “in camera” methods of controlling your backdrops, then it is time to consider creating some cloth backgrounds. This would give your work a pro “studio” look.

A very good quality background can literally cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Therefore, rather than shelling out the big bucks, I recommend creating your own. Fortunately a photography background is straightforward to create and can be made for pennies on the dollar.

Pay attention to your photography background and you can be shooting pro quality photography almost immediately.