Better Backgrounds... Better Images!

When framing an image, it's import to look for distracting elements so you can try not to include them in the image.  These could include objects, letters, words, colors, bright spots etc...  Then again why not take it a step further, why not look for great backgrounds that add to the images impact.  Here are 10 tips for better backgrounds.

1.  Use a professional backdrop.  Sometimes your situation requires a backdrop that can be put up anywhere and will look great in no time.

2.  Blurr the Background.  Creating bokeh is a great way to hide distractions, but even with this type of image it's helpful to have a lot distance between your subject and the background and it helps to have a telephoto lens with a wide open aperture, often wider than F/2.8.

3.  Motion blur can also hide a distracting background.

4.  Use a telephoto lens to create a tight crop.  Getting up close eliminates most of the background.

5.  Sometimes the background is the subject

6.  Sometimes the background is a natural part of the subject.

7.  Use a dark background.

8.  Use an overexposed background.

9.  Use a background that feels very natural for the type of subject.

10.  Use a background that leads to a vanishing point.

As you can see in the image above, it also helps if the background has some complementary colors to the subject.  Colors that don't match the subject will be a distraction and you may want to consider doing some color work in Photoshop or converting the image to black and white.

Simplify the Image... as long as your not a Photo-journalist

This article is about improving your compositions by removing distracting elements.  This practice is acceptable in most photographic contests unless you are a photojournalist.  Press photos should be as accurate to the situation as possible.  Always check the rules before entering a contest.

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The Herald Sun’s David Caird was in contention for the Nikon-Walkley Press Photographer of the Year award as a finalist, when a fellow photographer who just happened to shoot the same scene noticed differences between Caird's version of the photograph and his own.

Supposedly, there was originally a piece of straw that Caird had cloned out in post-processing. While this did not change the interpretation of the photograph, the competition's rules did explicitly state that:

"No cloning, montaging or digital manipulation other than cropping, ‘digital spotting’, burning and dodging is permitted."

As you can see above, David had the right idea, the photo is better with the straw cloned out.  Too bad it was against the rules, but at least he voluntarily withdrew, once he realised the problem.

When you compose an image try to make sure there are no distracting elements in the scene.  If you see one and you can remove it with your hands it will make your life much easier than having to clone it out in Photoshop.  However, there are plenty of situations in which you can't go and remove the distraction, so Photoshop may be your only option.

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I thought the houses and flag behind the cabanas were distracting so I removed them in my final image.

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I could have removed the trees as well but I felt like they were a natural part of the scene.

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This was my original image and I thought it had potential but it had too many distractions and the lighthouse was in a bad position and it was too small.

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I made the lighthouse a little bigger and moved it to the left side of the image to balance with the small boat.  I also cloned out everything in the water so the focus would stay on the boat and the lighthouse. 

When photographers are making art, they should feel free to use the benefits of Photoshop to their fullest.  Simplifying a scene can help you to get the most out the visual experience.  However, there are times, such as in press photos, when major photo manipulations are not appropriate.