The basics, how to's {Yuba City Photographer}

I get at least one e-mail, facebook mail (facemail?), inquiry through my website and even sometimes phone calls from aspiring photographers/hobbyists asking for advice in something photography related every day. While I certainly don't flatter myself to know everything, or even close when it comes to phtography and editing, I love sharing what I've learned in my journey, and I am always so excited to learn that old friends are coming with me on my new journey towards beautiful photographs! I know that there are people that aren't bold enough to ask the questions, but are still wondering how to "get the basics". I thought my blog would be a wonderful place to help share the information I have learned, and to inspire all of you photo lovers to practice! My intent here is to start off with really easy posts about paying attention to your surroundings. Things you can do with a point and shoot basic camera, and things that anyone can do.

Today's topic: Backgrounds!

One of the WORST or Best things that can happen to a photograph is a background. It can make or break that gorgeous shot you have of your kids and it's one of the easiest things to fix! Just by simply looking at what is happening BEHIND your kid will make a huge difference! Trust me, those that have been to my house on a weekday when I have 4 kids 3 and under here KNOW that my backgrounds are not ideal in my house! There are brightly colored (ugly) toys everywhere, covering every surface of carpet we have, and there isn't a whole lot I can do about it. (Besides getting off my rear and cleaning them all up every time I want to take a picture, which would be pointless since they would be relocated to the carpet in exactly 60 seconds.) So, instead, I find places in my house that are uncluttered, or set the kids in front of something that isn't as distracting as the giant Fisher Price ride on toy. To do this with a baby is super easy. Set them on the couch, or a blanket and voila! instant cleanliness! For the moves in your family, especially non cooperative movers, it may be more difficult. My suggestion; get a chair, even a high barstool so they can't get down, and place it near a wall. This achieves two wonderful things in one. Blank background and they can't run away! Another easy way to clean up your backgrounds is to move your body. Got a mess to the right? Move a bit tot he left and perhaps you can avoid that ugly mess in the background.

These photos are completely unedited, and you can see how just moving my camera slightly to eliminate the two ride on toys and dining room furniture in the background made for a much more pleasing photograph. I also zoomed in a bit.





Backgrounds outside can be nearly as bad, if not worse. Trash, buildings, lightpoles, and cars can all get in the way of a pleasing photograph. I've been known to eliminate a car or two in photoshop, but it's a lot of work and much easier to eliminate before hand rather than after. Pay attention to what is behind your subject as a lot of times, all it takes is stepping two feet to the right and you end up with something so much more frameable!