Background…
I am looking through my tons of Momshots and see that most of my photos have less than desirable backgrounds. I mean garbage cans, car tyres, the list goes on…
Does anyone else have this problem?
Obviously the problem has to do with how I compose my photos. However, 98% of my photos are of the snapshot variety. The kind where you grab the camera and capture that silly smile or the goofy look. This one is when my husband Ben was working on his car. Gar wanted to help. He grabbed his toy wrench and the longest screw driver in the tool box.
There are tons of things not technically correct about this photo. Awful trash can background, strange framing, Ben’s leg in the shot, I should have crouched down a bit, etc… I’m sure the list can go on. I do like the lighting. It was around the “Magic Hour” of the evening - that hour or so before the sun sets and the shadows are more muted, less harsh. Plus the subject matter is just adorable. Gar and tools are always a good mix.
So the question I pose is this: How do you take snapshots or Momshots and capture the spontaneity of the situation but still have an appealing background?
This is one of the BIG questions that Momshots aims to answer as we develop our photographic skills. But since we are just learning, does anyone who reads this, have any tips? Or alternatively; What is your favorite background to shoot in front of? Are there backgrounds that you enjoy shooting in front of more than others?
I would love to hear any thoughts on this. Please feel free to share.
June 7th, 2008 at 4:09 am
I love the pix. He’s got a tool in his hand, the trash can fits. However, it probably would be a better background if there was a tool box in the background. Maybe those good backgrounds are because somebody erased the unwanted item and inserted something else. Can you do this?
June 9th, 2008 at 8:22 am
I don’t know what lenses you have but if you have a telephoto lens in the 70-210 range using that for your mom shots will give you two advantages. One, you can be farther back from your subject and not being a distraction to them and two, with a short telephoto the back ground will be more out of focus so if there is a trash can in the background you won’t be able to tell what it is. Keep Shooting. E
June 12th, 2008 at 12:42 am
I don’t have a telephoto lens, but that is a really great tip! A telephoto is on my camera wish list and now I have an even better reason to get one!
I think the majority of my problem here is just bad composition. I really need to be aware of the background as well and the fore and mid ground. Practice! Practice! Practice!