[Part 12/23 | Module 2: GETTING YOU STARTED]

Whatever story you want to tell, make sure that the background goes well with the main subject, both in interest and tone.

Although in glam/nude photography the model is the focus or principal subject of the images, it doesn’t mean that backgrounds are unimportant. If the model comes in first place in your photos of these sorts, the background often comes in a close second in terms of importance to the overall image.

The right background will emphasize the model, the story, message, and mood. The wrong background, or too much emphasis on the background will detract from the model.

Photographic Backgrounds: Two Approaches

There are two approaches for shooting appealing photographs with a variety of backgrounds. It could be “clean and simple” or “intricate and complicated.” Makeup, hair, sexy wardrobe and more won’t matter much if your background isn’t treated appropriately and in ways that accentuate the model.

A) DIY Or Clean & Simple DIY Photo Backgrounds
You might decide to use straightforward and uncomplicated backdrops, e.g., paper seamless or muslin. Doing so allows you to isolate the model and focus, almost entirely, on the details of your subject. You can still tell a story with a simple seamless background, but it’s usually going to be told through pose and expression – an “emotional projection story” if you will.

Some art nude photographers believe fine-art nudes are best accomplished in monochrome. If that’s your goal, to produce fine art B&W nudes, it might be a good idea to keep your backgrounds simple and uncomplicated.

Black muslin or paper works well for those sorts of images. These sorts of backgrounds highlight the model by being nearly completely non-distracting. Grey or white backgrounds can also accomplish the same, as can those with very subtle and slight texture or design. Some photographers use black velvet to capture a deep, rich, black background.

B) Intricate And Complicated Photo Backgrounds
More intricate or complex backgrounds often work well as they become part of the images’ stories. The risk, of course, is in the background distracting viewers from the model. A balance must be found between the model and the background to ensure the background adds to the allure of the model, rather than subtracts from it. It’s a very subject thing and your sense of aesthetics will guide you well…hopefully.

Blur The Background With Depth Of Field (DOF)

More often than not, nude and glamour photographers, as do other sorts of portrait photographers, choose to blur the background with short or shallow depth of field. This is generally accomplished by using longer lenses (telephoto) and open apertures, i.e., low f-stop numbers. Doing so allows you to separate the model from the background.

Sometimes, of course, you might want to connect the model to the background in rather obvious ways. For those times, you probably don’t want to use too shallow a depth of field and might decide to shoot with normal or wide-angle lenses while keeping your aperture on the closed side, that is, with higher f-stop numbers.

In Conclusion: Backgrounds Are Supportive Elements

No matter what background you choose, with nude or glamour photography the subject should most always remain more important than the environment she is being photographed in. The background should serve the purpose of supporting the story, emotion, and more that you’re trying to express in your photos, while not overwhelming it.

Thanks for reading.