Using Backgrounds to Complement, Enhance, and Support an Image

Any photograph that catches the eye will possess a multitude of combined characteristics to generate an emotional response. Most of us instinctively understand this and recognize the results whenever we see a good photograph. Things like focus, point of view, rule of thirds, subject, composition, color, and one very important element, light, among others, are some of the things a good photographer will look for and apply to his photography. However, it is easy to overlook one part of the equation; Background.

The background in a photograph can make or break the image. How we as photographers use this is as varied as there are numbers of photographers. From my perspective, whenever I frame an image, I subconsciously view the image from the foreground, across the middle, and through to the background. My eye rapidly advances across and around the frame to visualize what is there before I snap the shutter. It all happens in an instant and when it looks right, well the mind just knows it. Backgrounds then, for me, become the most powerful portion of an image next to light and just like bad light, a weak background can ruin a photo. They need to possess at least three qualities: It should Complement the subject, not compete with it, It should Enhance the overall impact of the photo, not detract from it, and it should Support the overall story you are wanting to portray. Let's take a look at each of these qualities starting with Complement.

A background should never compete with the subject. In the photo above, the simple green background complements the single flower. It was created by using a long focal length about 300mm, and a relatively large aperture probably f/5.6, plus the background was far enough away to allow for it to fall well outside the depth of field inherent in the exposure values. There is nothing here to compete with the subject. By compete I mean for it to be so out of place, it confuses or distorts what the subject is suppose to be. Things like powerline's are big ones. I see this all the time where there is a reasonably attractive photo with a series of black powerline's crossing overhead. 

Sometimes things like useless clutter that has no bearing on what the photo is suppose to be about can become a distraction. Many times clutter can be caused by using the wrong lense, or the wrong aperture settings which can cause distant objects to  remain in focus and thus compete with the subject. Many time this can be remedied by a simple change of perspective or angle. It is the photographers duty to recognize those things and choose a background angle that complements the subject. Also beneficial is to understand the use of Depth of Field. Defining depth of field, simply put, is that portion of an image which remains in focus while objects outside of the focal range becomes blurry. Things like what aperture is used, focal length of the lense, and the distance to the background come into play. Generally speaking, the larger the aperture the narrower the depth of field. Factor in focal length, and distance to the background, and distance from the camera...well, there are a good number of factors that affect depth of field, but using it effectively will strengthen how you build backgrounds that complement your subject.

 Complement simply means to separate and lift the subject away from distracting elements. Using a long lense, 200, 300, 500mm, and a large aperture , f/3.5, f/4.0, f/5.6, to blur out the background is one common technique to accomplish this. The use of soft, complementary colors is another technique. The background should be there just enough to know there is something there to identify a location or a moment or event. The angle and color or temperature of the light are powerful tools to apply as well. Also, a dark or light background will often serve to isolate the subject depending on the setup.

Not So Good

A background should also be able to Enhance the subject. To enhance means to make the subject stronger than it might be otherwise if it was against a mediocre background in so-so light. The image of this Cormorant is a good example of a not so good background in harsh light. There is not much appeal to this image...it's a snapshot taken in bad light with an uninteresting background taken from a bad angle. The image below of Sandhill Cranes is a much better example of how background and light work together to generate a wildlife image with much greater appeal. Wildlife photography is a entirely different animal because environment is as important as the subject. Capturing both effectively can be a challenge.

That leads into how Backgrounds should Support the subject. It matters not what the subject is. The background has to support the subject. For wildlife, think environment, for still life think in terms of effective use of lights and darks and color and how the background should impact of the image. For nature or landscape, Background is critical. Take a look at the Damselfly image below. Notice how the use of color and a soft background supports, enhances, and complements the subject.

There is just enough detail in the background to identify it as lush creekside foliage without it becoming a distraction. Also the first black and white image at the top effectively uses soft detail. Notice how the background sort of blends away into the fog leaving the subject standing apart from it.

Sometimes, the background actually becomes the subject. This can be tricky, but all the elements still apply. The image below of the reflections across this backwater slew is an example of how the background actually is the subject, yet it complements the subject story by the flavor of the moment. It enhances the subject with effective use of light and shadow, and it supports the essence of the story by blending all of the elements into a single story, a single moment of light.

Effectively using backgrounds will help to generate strong, story-telling, images. By applying a few simple techniques and training your eye to visualize how the background will complement, enhance, and/or support your image, what you create begins to express images with greater impact displaying more emotions and feelings as opposed to simple snapshot qualities. Recognizing those potential moments of light comes with experience. Applying that knowledge comes with practise both visual and mechanical.