Portrait Photo Backgrounds

[Merlyn]

I am not a people photography person, mostly wildlife, nature, etc.....
Would like to try a hand at portraits.
My question is, what types of backgrounds do you folks prefer for portraits?
Outdoor settings, white background, "Wal-Mart" backgrounds, or do you make your own backgrounds? If you fabricate your own, how and what do you use.
I know lighting will come into play here somewhere per background used. Ideas, thoughts, suggestions. Anything myself and others can use.

[agirlandherlens]

Are you a studio shooter or do you prefer to be on location? I'm a big "on location" fan. Large f-stops are always a good way to make a portrait pop! Just make sure there is enough room between them and the background to blur it, and also check your lighting. A little imagination goes a long way! As for studio backgrounds... keep it plain and simple, a cheesy looking background gets "old" fast! I worked for a portrait studio for a couple of years... you want to make sure the focus is always on the subject, never clutter (unless you're going for a certain look - but then its not exactly portrait photography anymore), and do your best to keep colors/patterns flowing and not confuse the eye.

I hope there was a bit of help in all my rambling!

[desi]

Hi there,
I am new to taking portraits also. I took a few for Christmas and here is what used:
1- background: colorful fabric on sale at the local fabric shop
2- lighting: Nikon SB-800 off camera & 1 inexpensive clamp light with a "true sunlight" bulb shot through an umbrella to light the backdrop. For a few shots I used Gary Fong pj lightsphere. For shooting with flash off camera, I highly recommend www.strobist.com
3- Shot with the RAW setting so I could adjust the white balance
4- Exposures mostly included shots with apetures from f/1.8 to f/5.6
5- Printing: ordered prints from both my SmugMug.com account & Costco online

For my first time, I am pleased and am learning from the experience - especially on how to better use the flash & posing techniques.

You can see a few samples at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photo220/

Have fun!
desi

[Merlyn]

Thanks Desi. Looking at your portrait shots you did do well first time out. And thanks for the link to Strobist. Some place else to read and learn. The equipment needed is my main interest. I hate to fork out the $$$$ for an un-needed piece.

[hitkaiser]

Remember to focus on the eyes...!

[rachel_r]

I too, am just getting into portrait photography. I did an engagement set for a friend and then a couple of other people asked me to shoot their portraits. I am always so nervous doing this since it is for other people and not for myself. I am trying to get myself used to the feeling.

I really like outside the best. I can never seem to get the lighting right indoors. The outdoor pics are always a hundred times better in mine.

I have a really hard time coming up with poses. I try to get ideas by looking at other work but during the shoot I normally forget them all. I mainly just have them do something natural and then shoot away and ask them to move slightly here and there.

I have put together a portrait set on flickr if you would like to take a look:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelrusinski/sets/72157594422865657/

[ron.richardson]

i've been lucky with the people i've shot portraits of, they have all been fun, energetic people. in that situation, i tend to just let them be, talk/joke with them, and let them do their thing. i managed to get some great smiles from the bride at the first wedding i did because of that.

talking with your subject and getting to know them a little better before you even start shooting would be my best tip.

[dixie~jen]

I am always so nervous doing this since it is for other people and not for myself. I am trying to get myself used to the feeling.



There is no need for you to be nervous...these are great! Keep up the good work! :D

jen

[Englishteacher]

I've done some portrait stuff usually outside. The problem with outside shots is color shift. For example, if using an evergreen background, often the green influences the facial tones of the subject. To avoid this, fill the frame ... or zoom in, lock the color and focus, zoom out and shoot. I took some wonderful graduation pictures of one of my students last year. I'm no pro, but the best in town couldn't have done better. I just didn't charge enough.

[Saralonde]

I flound this diy project. Haven't tried it myself, but someone may find it interesting.
http://www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/chaep-diy-muslin-photography-background

[Ladynred]

I have new Canon XTi 400 D too, got it from Christmas. I love it.
I have explored it a little bit. I did my first attempt in taking portraits.
I have set-up a studio in our basement.
I used Cameron Reversible Portable Muslin Panel.
Here's a link if you want to see.
http://www.boothphoto.com/index2.cfm
And here's my portraits link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweet_agring/sets/72157594476466975
Would love to hear if what you think!

[JoeBackward]

Try this:
Buy some cheap wrapping paper with colors you like. Hang it up on a wall with tape, at one end of a fairly large room.

Position your subject halfway down the room, so you can use a telephoto lens to take pictures of the subject in the foreground and the wrapping paper in the background.

Be sure to focus on the subject. If you do things right, the wrapping paper background will be in soft focus, and the subject in sharp focus. If the wrapping paper comes out in sharp focus, you can always use a photo-editing program to blur it.

This is a good and cheap way to get a colorful background.

[Seltzer]

Try this:
Buy some cheap wrapping paper with colors you like.


This might not be a bad idea, especially with Christmas season just recently coming to a close, may still be able to find some closeout paper deals.
Another friend of mine found that he could get painters drop cloths cheaper than similar lengths of fabric. These don't typically come in many colors but can be dyed for preference.

[incurable-hippie]

I have put together a portrait set on flickr if you would like to take a look:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelrusinski/sets/72157594422865657/

RAchel_R, you have some stunning portraits in that group - well done!

More interesting and creative than many portraits are :)

[incurable-hippie]

I flound this diy project. Haven't tried it myself, but someone may find it interesting.
http://www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/chaep-diy-muslin-photography-background

Thanks for this link - the whole site is great!

[Tiberius]

if you are outside or don't have a proper photographic background, set your camera to aperture priority move (Av on Canon, A on Nikon and most others) and set the aperture to a wide setting, such as f1.8 or f2.8. This will create a shallow depth of field, so that the eyes are in focus (always focus on the eyes when taking portraits), but the background is nicely out of focus. This will reduce or eliminate distractions in the background, making the model the clear center of attention.

[Englishteacher]

Another thought. Instead of wrapping paper, use a uniform background ... like a "blue screen" though any color not found in the subjects clothing would do ... then use the magic wand in PS to eliminate that background and layer the subject over any background of choice like a landscape or skyscape or interior -- or a manufactured pattern developed in PS.

If using a single flash, bounce it off the ceiling or at least make sure you don't get a strong shadow in the background. A layer or two of white cloth will diffuse the light enough to soften shadows.

[Ladynred]

Wow! it's been a long time since I visited here. Thank you all for the reply and comments.

[Liz Caldwell]

Really? I am the only one who makes my own backdrops??? Ok, here's what I use:

Fabrics - upholstery stores! Lots of neutral colors and large size fabrics. Velux blankets!!! Velux, Velux Velux! OMG! I love them! Come in many colors and the queen size is like 40? often can be found at thrift stores too. If fact, when I bought my travel studio ($149 at BH Photo) it came with bench, backdrop stand and and VELUX backdrop.

As to hang to the backdrops (before I got the travel studio), I used Command adhesive clips... the stuck on the wall long enough to do my shoots, and they never left stains.

[Diana1979]

The best background that I have found is nature. If you can get some trees, flowers, etc. into the background (but blurred) then it really makes a portrait look nice.