Choosing the Perfect Background for Your Photos

Importance of Backgrounds in Photography

Backgrounds can tell a story in photography. They provide context to your main subject and make your photo more interesting. Paying attention to your background is just as important as focusing on your main object. Matching your main subject with the right background is key to creating a balanced and artistic photo.

Improving Your Background Skills

For beginner photographers, mastering background selection is crucial. Whether you're capturing a natural scene or a professional portrait, the background can make or break your image. Here are some tips to help you choose the right background for your photos:

Use of Lighting

‍

Lighting is essential in photography. The type of lighting you use can greatly impact your photos. Whether it's natural sunlight or artificial light sources, understanding how to use light effectively can enhance the mood and tone of your images. Experimenting with different lighting angles and shadows can help you create unique effects in your photos.

Types of Light

‍

There are two main types of light in photography: natural light and artificial light. Natural light comes from the sun and can create a soft, natural look in your photos. Artificial light, on the other hand, is produced by sources like studio strobes or LED lights and gives you more control over your lighting conditions.

Using Depth of Field

‍

Controlling the depth of field in your photos can help you draw attention to your main subject. Adjusting the focus in your photos can help eliminate distractions in the background and make your subject stand out.

Eliminating Background Distractions

‍

To ensure your main subject is the focus of your photo, it's important to eliminate distractions in the background. Keeping your background simple and free of clutter can help your subject shine. Patience is also key in photography; waiting for the right moment to capture your subject without any distractions can make a big difference in your photos.

Blur the Background

‍

Sometimes it’s hard to avoid distraction from the picture; you can blow or blur the distractive objects. Those can be done by widening the aperture or using a lens with an extended focus length which blurs the background with depth of focus.

Use of Negative Space

Negative space is the clean, minimal part of the image, which is not the central part of the image. This means the subject of the object is positive space, and the rest is negative space.

Negative space takes more place than positive space or the main subject. It has the effect of making us more curious about the subject. The size difference between the main object and the surrounding medium can isolate the main subject. An object's negative space can portray emotions like loneliness, relaxation, depression, and even importance.

Negative Space Used for

1. To make viewer's eye on the subject

‍Negative space defines the main subject nicely, attracting the viewer’s eye to the main object.

2. To convey a sense of scale

Using a significant amount of negative space can help portray a sense of isolation, highlighting the subject against the whole background. To give the photo a different look,  we can use some creative ideas by using different tools in the background.

3. Paper

‍Paper is an excellent idea that you can use as a background idea. You can use various types of paper. They can be wrapping paper, newspaper, book pages, and many more; if you like some design as background, you can go and print it out on paper and use it.

Paper in the background gives the photos a classy, elegant vibe, now a trending background on Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms. Paper is also an environment-friendly option, so you can use it as much as it doesn’t harm the environment.

If you want a white background, you can use paper. Using newspapers and pages from the book as background gives retro vibes to the photos.

4. Cloth

Cloth and other fabrics make an excellent background for photos. You can use any cloth as the background of photos, like a blanket, bedsheet, curtain, or your daily wear like a hoodie, shirt, t-shirt, etc. You can use different colors.

5. Walls painting

Walls come in so many shapes, colors, and designs. They make some interesting backgrounds for Instagram. Nowadays, if there are some plain walls near the street, or a construction building then artists make paintings there, it gives a perfect background for photos. This painting gives photos a different look. If you're passing that kind of painting wall, you should take a few snaps for Instagram.

6. Paper plates

You can use paper plates as background. You can use the same color or different colors of paper plates also. Not only can you play with the colors, but you can also place them. You can also place or overlap them randomly on top of each other for a fun and playful look. And you can place them far from each other to look for polka dots.

7. Fairy light backdrop

If you want to give your photo a magical fairytale vibe, you can use fairy light in the background. It’s so easy and takes a little time to create the background. To create the background, you must drape the fairy lights over a curtain or rod. You can use some fake flowers on top of it if you want.

8. Craft paper triangles

You can use craft paper as a backdrop if you want some creative background. It’s so easy to arrange craft paper and craft papers are readily available. All you need is craft paper, scissors, and tape. You cut the craft paper in a triangle shape and stick it on the wall.

9. Creased Tin Foil

Tin foil can make a tremendous silvery backdrop. This will make your subject more attractive. It’s different from plain old creased plain paper; Tinfoil gives a shiny effect to the photo. But you should be careful with the light because tin foil reflects light, especially when you use light like studio light. 

10. Curtain Background

Using a curtain as a backdrop is the most accessible and cheapest way. All you need to do is stretch a curtain away from the window and tape it on the wall. It may not look good from far but looks excellent from a closer view. Once you finish the photo shoot, you just put the curtain back; there is no need for cleaning.

Blur the Background

Do you ever get distracted by things in the background of your photos? You can blur out those distractions by adjusting your camera settings. Try widening the aperture or using a lens with a longer focal length to create a blurry background with a cool depth of focus.

Use of Negative Space

Have you ever heard of negative space? It's the empty, clean part of an image that isn't the main focus. By using negative space, you can make your main subject stand out and create a sense of curiosity for the viewer.

Negative Space Used for

1. To make viewer's eye on the subject

Negative space can help draw attention to your main subject by framing it nicely.

2. To convey a sense of scale

Using negative space can also make your subject look isolated and highlight its importance against the background. Get creative with different backgrounds to give your photos a unique look.

3. Paper

Using paper as a background is a trendy and eco-friendly option. You can use different types of paper like wrapping paper, newspaper, or book pages to add a classy vibe to your photos.

4. Cloth

Cloth and fabrics can also make great backgrounds for your photos. Try using blankets, bedsheets, or even your clothes to add some color and texture to your shots.

5. Walls painting

Plain walls with interesting paintings can make for cool backgrounds. Keep an eye out for painted walls on the street or buildings for a unique backdrop.

6. Paper plates

Get playful with paper plates as backgrounds. You can stack them, overlap them, or arrange them in fun patterns for a whimsical look.

7. Fairy light backdrop

Add a magical touch to your photos with fairy lights in the background. It's easy to create and gives your photos a fairytale vibe.

8. Craft paper triangles

For a creative background, try using craft paper cut into triangles. It's simple to arrange and can add a unique touch to your photos.

9. Creased Tin Foil

Tin foil can create a shiny backdrop for your subject. Just be mindful of how it reflects light, especially in a studio setting.

10. Curtain Background

A simple and cheap option is using a curtain as a backdrop. Just stretch it out and tape it to the wall for an easy and effective background.

Conclusion

Choosing the right background can make a big difference in your photos. Experiment with different backgrounds to make your portraits stand out and improve your photography skills. Remember, while backgrounds are important, the most crucial thing is capturing a great expression. So, focus on that and have fun trying out these background tips!

FAQs

Q1. What color background is good for photos?

Ans. The best color background for photos will depend on the subject and the desired effect, but generally, neutral colors such as white, black, or gray are popular choices as they provide a clean and timeless look that allows the subject to stand out.

‍

Q2. Which background color is more attractive?

The attractiveness of a background color is subjective and will depend on the context and personal preference. However, neutral colors such as white, black, or gray are often considered more attractive as they provide a clean and timeless look that complements the subject.

‍

Q3. Do photos look better on white or black background?

Ans. Whether a photo looks better on a white or black background depends on the subject and the desired effect. Generally, a white background provides a clean and timeless look that allows the subject to stand out, while a black background can create a dramatic and moody atmosphere.

‍

Q4. Does the background in a photo matter?

Ans. Yes, the background in a photo can have a significant impact on the overall look and feel of the image. A distracting or cluttered background can take away from the subject and reduce the quality of the photo, while a clean and neutral background can enhance the subject and make the photo more visually appealing.

‍

Q5. Should a professional photo have a background?

Ans. It depends on the purpose and style of the photo, but generally, a professional photo should have a background that complements the subject and helps to convey the desired message or emotion. A distracting or cluttered background can detract from the professionalism of the photo.

‍

Q6. Why are background photos important?

Ans. Background photos are important as they can create a mood, enhance the subject of the photo, and provide context or visual interest. They can also help to create a consistent and recognizable visual identity for a brand or individual.

‍