Most people have had their picture taken in front of a photography back drop. School pictures are inevitably taken in front of a photography back drop that might eventually look dated. Setting kids in front of a picture of a laser grid or mod blobs may seem good at first, but more classic backgrounds usually age better.

Everyone treasures photos of kids taken in front of an ersatz fireplace, castle, or forest. These backgrounds never go out of style. However, if you want a nice portrait of someone, consider a DIY photography back drop instead of plain grey vinyl.

Home Portraiture

Today with easy to use digital cameras and software to manipulate light and shadow, it is not absolutely necessary to visit a professional photographer to get a nice portrait of someone. So this makes for more creative ways to compose pictures.

Portraits from the nineteenth century often have elaborate backgrounds, perhaps because getting a photo taken was a more unique experience back then. The subjects pose on elegant couches, lean on fancy tables and may have any tableau in the back. Take inspiration from these old photos, and set up your own photography back drop with whatever you like.

The proper place to start is, in fact, with the photography’s back drop. There are plenty of eye-catching vertical surfaces that will make a great background to a portrait. Look first to the walls of your house, or your friends’ houses. Do any of them have an interesting paint job? How about at local historic houses? Do not neglect the outsides of buildings too, like a weathered barn or city block covered with a mural. Always look for a background without too much detail that sticks close to one hue.

Artists realize that the same thing looks different under different light. A place looks different under afternoon sun and sunset. Florescent and incandescent lights illuminate a subject differently. Try letting a variety of lights shine on your back drop. Outdoors, the light at dawn and dusk are usually most flattering for portraits.

Once you have found a photography back drop and gotten permission to use it if necessary, the rest is easy: picking accessories and clothes for the subject. The clothes and background should contrast. Accessories are not strictly necessary, especially if you are making a facial portrait. But consider bringing in an object that is important to the photo’s subject and have them pose with it. It can make your photos quite personalized, distinctive, and memorable.