The display of images you see immediately below is meant to give forth the concept of single or small groups of blossoms, with backgrounds that do not compete with the flowers. To me, the best backgrounds are dark or even completely shadowed backgrounds. Even better when the light is such that the flower itself is strongly lit, and separated from that background.

There are many ways to alter an image’s background in the editing process. To me, it is more satisfying to accomplish what I want while in the field, via depth of field, composition, and/or natural contrasts. That said, it can be made to happen at home.

With the Bleeding Heart images below, I believe there were some small amounts of light on a couple of areas of background. In the editing process, I cloned a black area, over the light spots. At least that is my vague remembrance.

Of course, verticals and horizontals are applied equally.

Whether you have backlight penetrating the flower, with a naturally shadowed background (my favorite), or a dark, distanced background with a side or even front lit flower, the effect is pleasing and powerful. Expose for the flower in a picture like this.

Also, just as powerful as featureless black backgrounds can be, natural green backgrounds with some small detail will work too.

Out of focus “washes of color” are also a powerful, natural way to make the entire image matter. Below, the first photo is dark and moody yet colorful. The second is bright and cheery with obvious yet subtle mixes of green grasses and more Coneflowers.

Flowers are not the only subject that works well with natural, blank, or simple backgrounds.

Insects often appear in the same locations as woodland flowers do. The composition can be everything with an image like this. Keep it simple.

The dew soaked dragonfly photo below would become a busy, almost noisy image if the small area of background I included in that image, was not simple and unobtrusive.

Birds are much like flowers. This image of a male Red-winged Blackbird’s charm, comes mostly from the rust colored out of focus field in the background. Of course, the pose does not hurt.

Backgrounds are a part of most images. Sometimes, such in a f32 depth of field wide angle landscape, we want them to harmoniously take us comfortably from an inch in front of us to eternity, in total sharpness. That however, is not possible with all images, and it would become boring if we could do so.

Every part of every image is integral to the power or weakness of a photo.

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The section below began as a commentary on politics. Then I decided not to ruin a good day. Just a little more about the pursuit of photography.

It’s amazing that after all of these years, I still do enjoy sharing and writing about images.

Having been an outdoor photographer for a long time, in various degrees of hobby and professionalism, I say with conviction that the part time professional has the best of all worlds.

Photography is a wonderful hobby. Still, there is something to be said for off and on having checks appearing in the mail, and bigger and bigger clients and credits coming your way. You reach a point where magazines, books, calendars and digital customers you never dreamed would even look at your work, not only publish it and pay you for it, but they treat you as if you mean something. They start to come to you rather than you chasing them. Then before you know it, via sharing images, you are becoming a writer as well.

As a full time business, you better be careful. Every day is another day that you have to worry about getting a check. Will there even be one? Bills mount up. Some of the fun of image making will disappear. Still, for the photographer with the correct personality and outlook, it can be a dream come true.

Whatever it means to you, enjoy your journey!

John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Have a great day and may God Bless,
Wayne