Background
Do not use a background,
unless it can contribute
something
to your image. As you
can see it in these
photos of the members
of the oldest military
comedians' group "Haribo"
from Germany,
established in 1823,
when photographed on
the street of
Indianapolis before
the 500 Parade, of which
they were the
participants, dressed
like the 18th century
soldiers, comedians
look as a modern days
parade troop, due to
the inclusion of the
motorcycles in the background.
When photographed indoors,
inside
of
the beer-pub, the Budweiser
banner in the background
and the
drafted beer in their
hands contributed to
and reinforced the
atmosphere of the German
beer-drinking tradition,
and made the
picture look as though
it was shot in Germany
or Holland. In
general, avoid using
busy and cluttered backgrounds,
instead,
arrange for, or use
the opposite tone of
background color than
the tone of your subject's
color, have dark subjects
positioned
against light background
and vise-versa.
This inner city scene
would have looked as
though it was
photographed out in
the woods, if it did
not include the
background. The low
camera angle and the
shape of the spring
brook waiving around
the tree brought a sense
of dimension into
this, otherwise boring
scene.
To set yourself up and
patiently wait until
your subjects
walk in front of your
background, is another
way to use the
background to your advantage,
as it was done in this
photo, where
the inclusion of background
helped to convey the
atmosphere of
the event.
