One of the simplest ways to separate your work from “the crowd” is to concentrate more on your photography background.

Current cameras are so innovative that nearly anybody will get a reasonably exposed, in focus shot. Note, I said reasonably exposed and in focus …even while using the superior equipment we have today, we still need to find out a little concerning good, old fashioned photography tactics so that you can rise above the crowd at the “grabbed shot” level and start to move into the realm of art.

First up is a technique for giving your work a pro look. Which is accomplished by a pro photography background.

Let us face it, if you have a gorgeous, white, black or hand painted “Old Masters” style background, you will immediately jump ahead of the “grabbed shot” crowd and will soon turn out to be the go to shooter in the area.

When your friends and relatives want a nice photograph, they will think of YOU. (And more, they will stop hiding when they notice you approaching – you KNOW what I mean.)

The great part about using a photography background is that it helps you be in command of what is occurring behind your subject. There will be no more “antlers” sticking out of their head – no more distracting elements like traffic, other people and even garbage on the ground.

One perceived drawback regarding using a photography background is that everybody assumes that you must use a great big photo studio as well as a bunch of pricey professional lighting to make it work.

This is not the situation!

With the well thought-out use of your on camera flash, a few reflectors and maybe even a mirror or mirror finished plastic, it is possible to create the equivalent of a 5 light arrangement!

I’ve seen it accomplished and in the finished shot, you can’t tell it had been all reflectors and mirrors.

By the way, as opposed to your on camera flash, the same effect could be accomplished by means of the sunlight as the light source. Drape your background over the branches of a tree, set up a number of reflectors and shoot away! Your friends will assume it had been all done in a photo studio!

The fundamentals that ought to be in every photographer’s collection are – at the very least – a white background, a black one and also a gray “Old Masters” variety.

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 won’t like the outcome – the white will tend to show wrinkles and creases. To start with, iron the background and then roll it on a cylindar. (Purchase some PVC piping at any nearby “do it yourself” store. Something like 3 or 4 inches in diameter should do nicely.)

The black photography background can again be any kind of fabric, however “Duck Canvas” is my favorite. Using black, wrinkles are not as much of an issue, however the background – actually every one of the backdrops – need to be rolled up as well.

For your “Old Masters” style, I like to recommend gray because by hitting it with a colored light source, gray is an easy color to alter. This way, you can make any color background you require.

Try acquiring some photography background fabric and shoot a variety images of a loved one. You will not look back!