Here is the photo tip for this week posted on the blog.

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Photo Tip: Watch out for Backgrounds
by Sonya Murphy on September 29, 2009

Have you ever noticed that the backdrops in photo’s can make or break a photo? Distracting backgrounds can take the focus away from the main object in the photo. So this week when taking pictures be more aware of the backdrop for your subject. Sometimes I find that by moving my position a couple feet in either direction is all that is needed. It’s much easier doing it as you snap the picture then editing it later. So this week be aware of those backgrounds…position your self or your subjects to get rid of distracting backgrounds. This will bring a more WOW effect into your photo and LO’s.

I didn't mention on the blog that there are three additional ways to get rid of distracting backgrounds. Do you know what they could be?

The first additional way is by zooming in close on the subject. Sometimes you can't move around to get rid of that distracting background. So by zooming in on the subject you can help eliminate the distracting background.

The second method is by having an understanding of aperture. This way you can use your knowledge of aperture to bring into sharp focus the subject you are trying to capture and blur that distracting background. Here is one photograph where I used aperture to blur the background to bring into the focus the bread. You can't see it very well in the layout but it can give you an idea. http://www.sumscrapper.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=search&cat=0&pos=0
In this picture I used aperture to slightly blur the background so that the flowers in the forground will be a little bit more sharper. It is the 5th to the last picture, the couple in the background and flowers on the table in the forground.
http://www.sumphoto.com/Portfolio_Wedding.html

The third method is by using the the various blur filters in your photoshop programs or other similar programs. My favorite is the gaussian blur in Adobe Photoshop CS2. Below are two pictures. Notice the first picture and the distracting background and then in the second picture notice how my son just pops out because the background is blurred using the gaussian blur. Here are some links to other samples using the gaussian blur:
http://www.sumphoto.com/Portfolio_Bridal.html The very first picture.
http://www.sumphoto.com/Portfolio_Wedding.html The very last picture.


I've used all the methods mentioned above and each one is useful and helpful. So this week why not practice using one of the methods listed above. Then share it here and in the gallery with a link to it. Tell us what method you used.

Great tips! I have a tutorial where I share how to do things with distracting backgrounds....it's a technique challenge in Course 2. So, if you fail with the camera, it can always be done digitally!

Thanks Hummie....good idea! Try it here with the digital camera and then learn more about it by visiting Hummies site.

I need to go and take a photo to try this out. See if I can do it, then if not off to digital land.

One of my favorite tips!!