The (Enormous) Importance of the Background in Your Photographs

Your photographs are built with everything you leave within the limits of the frame, not just by what occupies the foreground or one of the intersections of the rule of thirds. Everything. From left to right, top to bottom. And from front to back…

We should bear in mind that whoever sees our images does not have the same information as we do, does not remember the situation (did not experience it), does not know which of all the elements that has in view is the most relevant, he sees what he sees, and thereby tries to answer the questions posed by your image.

Our photographs are like a puzzle that others have to assemble, so we should be careful with the pieces that we leave on the table so that whoever comes behind can solve the puzzle. When there are only three or four pieces that fit perfectly, the result will most likely be what we expect, if on the contrary there are pieces left over or there are too many, well, it is very easy that the interpretation of the puzzle is not the one we were looking for when pressing the button.

The background is what we leave behind the person or object theoretically the protagonist of our images. The "theoretically" thing is due to the fact that, at times, the fund itself can become a predominant element, whether we seek it or not. Christmas backgrounds will always be the part that most characterizes the Christmas atmosphere.

Take a look at some of your photographs, making an effort to ignore what made you press the shutter: if it is a portrait, forget the person being portrayed, if you wanted to capture an action in the street, just look at what happens behind, and so on with all of them..

Critically visualize the background of your images while asking yourself this question: does what is behind it contribute to the photograph, or does it detract from what was important to me when I shot? In those images in which the background becomes a distraction, ask yourself how you could have canceled its protagonism. This question will be very important to prepare for shooting at moments that cannot be repeated, for example first birthday. You have to make sure the first birthday background you choose can strengthen the theme that you will carry in the photos.

Let’s imagine a portrait of someone in the middle of the street, with other people to the sides and behind, as clear as the theoretical protagonist of the shot. Was there a wall in a neutral color that you could have used as a background? Would very shallow depth of field have worked to blur passersby in the background? What else could you have done to make the message of the image clear?

Take mental notes (or better, do it physically on a sheet of paper) as you learn from your mistakes. It is not so much about knowing at all times how to get a good fund, but above all about being aware that it is there and that it is one more element to take into account. There are no excuses, the background of your photographs is your responsibility. If you want to get roses-themed photos, it is your duty to choose the appropriate roses backdrop.

Yes, but the important thing is what is seen in the foreground, that which occupies the center of the frame. For you, yes. For the rest of the spectators, those of us who do not follow your reasoning when taking the photograph, everything has the same importance, unless you use a tool to highlight some parts against others.

When you go to take a photograph, do not look only at what has caught your attention, also ask yourself if the background adds to the story or if, on the contrary, it distracts from it. If it is the latter, strive to improve it, do not settle for "justifying" its existence with a "it was so". In case wedding photography, you have to make sure the used wedding backdrop doesn’t conflict with the wedding theme.

Ultimately, a photo background is one of the most important elements that determine the quality of an overall photo.