Crafting with Kids

One of the simplest ways to separate your photos from “the crowd” would be to concentrate more on your photography background.

Contemporary cameras are so innovative that nearly anyone can get a reasonably exposed, in focus photograph. Observe, I said reasonably exposed as well as in focus …even aided by the super technology we’ve got these days, we still ought to find out a little bit about good, old fashioned photography tactics in order to rise above the group at the snapshot level and start moving into the realm of fine art.

First up is a method for giving your photography a professional appearance. That is accomplished by a pro photography background.

Let’s face it, for those who have a stunning, white, black or hand painted “Old Masters” style backdrop, you’ll immediately shoot ahead of the snapshot crowd and can rapidly turn into the go to photographer in your area.

As soon as your relatives and friends would like a pleasant photograph, they’ll think of YOU. (And more, they’ll stop hiding if they see you approaching – you KNOW what I mean.)

The best part re using a photography background is that it makes it possible to be in command of what is happening to the rear of your subject. You will see no more “horns” sticking out of their head – no more annoying elements like traffic, people or just garbage on the ground.

One perceived disadvantage regarding using a photography background is that everybody assumes that you have to have a great big photo studio as well as a bunch of costly professional lighting to make it work.

This isn’t the case!

With the judicious use of your on camera flash, several reflectors and possibly even a mirror or mirror finished plastic, it is possible to bring about the equivalent of a 5 light set!

I’ve seen it done and in the completed photograph, you cannot tell it was all reflectors and mirrors.

By the way, as an alternative to your on camera flash, the identical effect could be done via the sunlight as your light source. Hang your backdrop over the limbs of a tree, employ a number of reflectors and fire away! Your pals will believe it was all done in a photo studio!

The essentials that should be in any shooter’s collection are – at the very minimum – a white backdrop, a black one and also a gray “Old Masters” type.

The white one generally is a bed sheet, piece of muslin, canvas or some other white fabric. You should not fold it up or you will not like the results – the white will tend to show wrinkles and creases. To begin with, iron the backdrop and then we roll it onto a cylindar. (Get a little PVC piping at a nearby “do it yourself” store. About three or 4 inches in diameter should do nicely.)

The black photography background can yet again be any style of fabric, but “Duck Canvas” is my favorite. Using black, wrinkles are not as much of a concern, however the backdrop – in fact ALL your backgrounds – should be rolled up as well.

With the “Old Masters” design, I like to recommend gray since by hitting it with a colored light source, gray is an easy color to modify. In this way, you can make any color background you require.

Try getting a little photography background fabric and shoot two or three images of a loved one. You’ll never regret it!

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