Fresno: The Backdrop for Your Photos

It’s common for clients ask to shoot about town and I love it! The settings are endless and it’s fun to explore what locations will work best for each shoot. So, I thought I’d share with you a few samples of natural “backdrops.” Now, there is backdrop and background. The later is anything that is behind the subject in a picture. A backdrop is also behind the subject but the term usually refers specifically to a piece of cloth or paper that serves as the background in a studio. It may be plain or have abstract or even a realistic scene painted on its surface. In this case, I’m adopting the concept to how an outdoor wall or door may serve as a backdrop for your next shoot.

5 Examples of Fresno Backdrops for Your Photos

1. Single Color (Monochromatic)

During the shoot with Denise, I spotted the pink wall from across the street. I figured that with a little bit blur, or bokeh (pronounced bō-ke with e in café), the wall would look great. We walked over and I got the idea for this pose. When I demonstrated it, Denise laughed because I must have looked silly but she looks fabulous! The video clip below shows the wall and picture.

2. Abstract

When it comes to a wall splattered with abstract paint, my consideration wether the colors work well with your wardrobe, the overall theme of your shoot as well as the mood. In this case, I had chosen this alley specifically for it’s walls. I had already imagine this type of motion in the pose. Lupe did the rest with her smile and overall position. We did 5-7 takes before we chose this picture. Blue, aqua, magenta and red go well together.

3. Graffiti

Graffiti can be similar to abstract art in that sometimes it can be a collections of colors and shapes rather than straight-forward text. This wall is on the side of building in the Tower District. As we came upon it, I thought that it would be a good compliment to Gayle’s attire. She’s an excellent stage performer with an edge punk angle to her, especially in this wardrobe. I rarely use Dutch angles but I figured that the technique would work for this picture. Dutch angles is using the horizon with a tilt or slope. In order for it work, one must tilt the horizon so that it looks intentional rather than only a few degrees where it will look like it’s an oversight to not have the horizon leveled. This technique is used often in cinematography in order to promote danger or disorientation. Here, I used it because it looked fine to me, considering the wardrobe, model and the colorful wall.

4. Graphics

Graphics include text and other visual designs such as logos. I don’t include them often in pictures but there are times when they augment a composition. Given the Vannarith and I were shooting in downtown, and we simply going after what looked interesting for our photos, we decided to work out this one. I guided him on the pose and positioned him at the center of the graphics. I really like the yellow and blue color palette, which akin to dutch angles, is also often used in motion films. Do you have a graphics that you imagined in one of your photos?

5. Door

Sometimes, a door makes for a great framing backdrop. I had this building in mind. A couple of friends of mine had recently purchased it and they were in the middle of renovations, which is why we see the boards on either side of the door. It makes for a grungy setting and I figured that this would be an interesting juxtaposition to Denise’s wardrobe and look. Plus, green and orange tend to make for a great color palette in pictures.

Conclusion

Do you have in mind an interesting wall, door, graffiti or graphics in mind for a pictures? As you can see, there are many possibilities around town…in any city for that matter. It’s about recognizing how a setting can add to the message that you want to convey in your pictures. Share your observations below in the comments.