By Paul Tyler
One of the main questions I am always being asked is "Background???" Most of you will not be using a studio and the argument seems to be out of focus, or in focus background? The simple answer is whatever suits the scene best. Do ensure though that the background is either fully in focus, or fully out to achieve that professional look.
Background
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| Here the photographer has the advantage of being out of doors so by using a large aperture (small f number) he has been able to lose the background almost entirely. He has left enough detail though so you can see this is a beach. | Now here the photographer couldn't have got wide enough with the aperture so he has ensured the background is in focus and made it interesting. |
Home Studio
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| When using a home studio you must ensure the lights cover the scene you are photographing. In picture 1 we can see that the models face is cast in heavy shadow. The lighting to the hair, shoulders and legs is great, a little reflective lighting to the face would have improved things a great deal. Picture 2 the lighting is a little less subtle, but achieves a nice feel. Pictures 3 & 4 achieve a wonderful feeling of atmosphere and if these were art nudes it would be right, but for glamour I don't feel it works. Picture 4 speaks for itself. Lit for the model and doing what it should do. Your flash meter will tell you everything you need to know. | ||||
Take your time and do it right
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| Well the picture on the left could have everything going for it, yet it doesn't get close. Muddled background, could the model have moved a foot to the right so she had the red curtain behind her? Could someone have removed the grey shirt behind her? The cushion in the foreground left clutters the scene. To finish, the picture is flat. Now the picture on the right has been thought about and time has been taken getting the lighting right and it works doesn't it? | |
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