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Archive 2013 · Opinions on background please

Sharona
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Opinions on background please

I am going to be shooting a family of four, the mom is my oldest friend, known her since before kindergarten. We went out last night to scope some areas to shoot and the attached photo is the area we came up with. The attached photo was barely edited and was a one-off as a test, so I am not really asking for C&C on this photo.

But I am somewhat bothered by the background, the way it splits horizontally. Does this bother anyone else? It is a hillside with prairie grasses on the bottom and of course sky at the top. She is facing west and the sun had gone down too much - I'll be shooting a bit earlier.

I would appreciate any thoughts you pros have. This is not a paid shoot, but I want it to be good; you never know when a referral might pop up.

While I'm here, if any of you have recommendations for a book or resource on posing families, let me know. This is a rather camera shy, humble bunch of people, so I'm not sure how off the charts I'll be able to get. There is a plethora of books on Amazon, but I'd love to hear from some shooters. Thanks everyone.

Just wondering about this background!

Oct 01, 2013 at 10:38 AM

Ian Boys
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Opinions on background please

I think it works fine. I'd be tempted to move further up the slope so it bisected the subject a bit further down.

Oct 01, 2013 at 10:42 AM

Sharona
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Opinions on background please

Thanks for this input, Ian - much appreciated and will try that if we decide to shoot here!

Oct 01, 2013 at 11:14 AM

jackhopkins
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Opinions on background please

Set them in the grass so they're embedded with no sky showing is one way. Use a longer lens so foreground and background are both out of focus. When possible I like to sit or stand people on the crest of the rise so the bkgd goes even further out of focus. Posing must be flattering though.

Oct 01, 2013 at 06:38 PM

Sharona
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Opinions on background please

Thanks - This was shot I think at 200 with the 70-200 f 2.8 which is what I'd be using. The grasses are quite tall and my subjects are rather short (both husband and wife, as well as the two young adult offspring.) I'm not sure how to get them into the grasses as they are prickly and tall - it's a native prairie. I've got a few other locations I can try - I mainly wondered if this split was troublesome, but I guess it's really up to me and them anyway! Any other thoughts, I'm all ears. Thanks again for the input.

Oct 01, 2013 at 08:25 PM

stewtomato
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Opinions on background please

I'm not a pro but I'll comment anyway.

My perception of the sample photo was that it looked like a backdrop in a studio. Would it look too strange to have a 'bouquet' of grass either in the hand (could look dorky) or strategically placed to give an impression that this wasn't/won't be shot in a studio? Agree that changing the angle to either shoot them up or shoot down on them will help, especially if some of the grass isn't erased in background blur.

Regarding camera shy people; a remote trigger or timer might help. Distract them (over here!) and then shoot away. Toss a ball back and forth and then throw it out of the picture before you snap a few more. Or leave it in and use that and other props. Anything to keep their minds occupied with something other than the fear of having to pose and to get them relaxed and happy. Smiles go far in making the shot.

Two cent opinion and you get what you pay for...

Oct 01, 2013 at 09:32 PM

Ernie Aubert
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Opinions on background please

I'm not a pro either, and I think that bisecting of the image is rather distracting; I don't think I'd do it.

Oct 01, 2013 at 09:51 PM

Sharona
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Opinions on background please

Thanks for the extra thoughts and advice - all appreciated. I'm going to shoot it in another park. Like I said we were scouting, and I was shooting to check the light only and wasn't really looking at the background as well as I should have. All a learning process. As for the background looking fake, that's funny! I know otherwise so it never occurred to me.

Oct 01, 2013 at 10:12 PM

friscoron
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Opinions on background please

Camera shyness only comes into play with camera awareness. You can put them in places and then ask get them to act as natural as they can, try to get them to forget you're taking pictures. Have fun. Get them to do things that are normal for them. People like this usually don't like to be "posed", and yet they're uncomfortable because they think they need to be "posed". Get them walking, playing, whatever.

Not a huge fan of the split, but it doesn't kill it either. But I would prefer to find that green OOF background to work with. The brighter sky as your background works best if it fills the screen.

Oct 01, 2013 at 10:37 PM

SargentRay
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Opinions on background please

I have to say the bisecting background especially for group shots is bound to give you trouble at shooting. Since everybody is not the same height the background line will most likely cut people at weird places, in my opinion. If you still have time to scout for places i'd keep looking if i were in your place. I always found nice well thought of surroundings and appropriate props tell more of a story for a group shot as opposed to a plain background. I know it is much easier to " detach " the subject by using a non busy background and a wide aperture but there is really something to be said for group shots of people in an environement that represents them or is at least related to their way of life. It's more work but so much better than a shot with a group of people bunched up toghether . Spreading your people a little across you composition may give a nice dynamic and perspective to the shot. Placing them on different focal planes does that, you know 1 or 2 people in the foreground taken from a higher angle can be quite interesting. If you have a couple of flashes available ( and remote triggers ) the lighting possibilities are even greater.

Oct 02, 2013 at 07:54 AM

Sharona
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Opinions on background please

Thank you so much for the continued comments and advice! I have indeed found another park with trees, grasses, walking trails and overall a better environment to shoot in. I plan to try many "poses." ie having them sit on a blanket, standing, walking, etc. The kids are 19 and 22, so playing is probably out! ;-) You all have given me some great ideas and I'm glad to see that my instincts about this background were pretty much on target. Sometimes you don't know if you're being too anal or if you're on to something!

If I may be so bold as to get thoughts on another topic related to this: If I were to try placing them with the sun behind them, for some rim or back lighting, what sort of reflector would you use for their faces? I've got a large, round combo reflector that I could use with white, gold, silver, etc.

As you can see this is new for me - I'm mostly a nature/wildlife shooter. But I really enjoy this and would like to do more of it. Thanks again!

Oct 02, 2013 at 08:40 AM

Lisa_Holloway
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Opinions on background please

The lighting is nice but I'm not a big fan of the way the background splits the image in two.

Oct 02, 2013 at 09:32 AM

Sharona
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Opinions on background please

Thanks Lisa - Any ideas for posing a family with two older children? That's another struggle!

Oct 02, 2013 at 10:33 AM

friscoron
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Opinions on background please

Sharona wrote:
If I may be so bold as to get thoughts on another topic related to this: If I were to try placing them with the sun behind them, for some rim or back lighting, what sort of reflector would you use for their faces? I've got a large, round combo reflector that I could use with white, gold, silver, etc.

You have to be careful about how you use a reflector. Sun is setting behind them, and you use a reflector to light them... at worst, they're going to squint.

Oct 02, 2013 at 12:15 PM

Sharona
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Opinions on background please

Thanks Ron - It would be a low sun, I reckon. Something worth a try maybe.

Oct 02, 2013 at 12:49 PM

MazeRunner
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Opinions on background please

With the background, I'd either put the horizon at one of the thirds (I'd prefer to frame it at 2/3rds of the way from top) instead of closer to the middle.

Shooting them on the grass with a blanket out (with a picnic basket) and smiling would probably be easiest to smiling.

Can use a white reflector closer to them or a soft-silver reflector/umbrella a bit farther (speedlight bounced if reflector makes them squint). Would do a Nikon speedlight on TTL with -0.3 or -0.7 (try both to see which you like more) bounced.

Good luck!

Oct 02, 2013 at 01:03 PM

Sharona
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Opinions on background please

Thanks MazeRunner - I use Canon speedlights, however.

Oct 02, 2013 at 01:26 PM

MazeRunner
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Opinions on background please

Sharona wrote:
Thanks MazeRunner - I use Canon speedlights, however.

So you'd put the reflector behind you (the shooter) and bounce off of that?

The main purpose of this photo is to give to her mother-in-law for her 80th birthday, which is why I struggle with the pose. I'm sure they are looking for something pretty standard. But I want to try some other things if they are willing.

I do appreciate the comments on the background (and have it filed away for times when I may need it) but as I noted I have a different place to shoot now, so...Show more →

Not too sure how the Canon EV compares to Nikon (test it out, or maybe another ask another Canon shooter). Ideally your reflector would be about 1-2 feet behind you (shooter) to your left (if you're doing this solo, can set it next to a tree, fence, etc, and just mount speedlight on your body and turn the head. You want soft lighting fill lighting if possible. But be wary of the wind blowing over your reflector if you're shooting in an open location.

If no reflector, you could use direct light (yes, I said aim that speedlight at them!) but at -3 to -4 EV with Canon (-1 or -2 EV with Nikon) so you don't get the highlights and glare that may usually pop up.

- Peter

Oct 02, 2013 at 01:52 PM

Sharona
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Opinions on background please

Thanks Peter! I may go out with just my friend (the mom) and practice this. I can put the reflector on a stand and hang my pack on it or something, I think.

Oct 02, 2013 at 02:53 PM

MazeRunner
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Opinions on background please

Good luck!

Oct 02, 2013 at 09:23 PM

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