The background in your photograph can make or break your image. Here I discuss portraits, either candid or posed, and how you can make better photos by becoming aware of what is in the background. Too often we, as photographers, are concentrating on the subject and do not see the issue with what is behind our main focus. First I'll look at some problem images and then show some solutions.

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In this portrait of Peter, there is so much clutter in the background that the viewer questions who the real subject is.

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In this photo I did not notice the tree appearing to grow out of Rick's head. Also (no offense intended) the ladies in the back are a distraction from the purpose of the photo - picking wild mushrooms.

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In this photo of a Nova Scotia model boat builder, there are "wings" growing out the sides of his head.

If I'd noticed that, I could have had him move to his right and avoid this merger.

4-P_19_0171 Warm colours, red in this example, jump out at the viewer and draw attention away from the people in the photo. Not a good background choice.

Also the lamp shade growing out of Veda's head makes for a poor merger.

5-P_11_0072Joe Derochie

In this photo, Joe's black tuque needlessly merges into the background and appears to cut off his head.

 All I had to do was raise the camera slightly to avoid this merger.

6-22000055Joe Norris holding one of his paintings

Sometimes a busy background works. Here it creates a setting for the portrait of Nova Scotia folk artist Joe Norris.

7-P_11_0401 This portrait of Veda enjoying a beer in Annecy is better. But had I used a wider aperture I would have thrown the background more out of focus and reduced it as a distraction. Still her great smile makes this a wonderful portrait.

8-P_07_0204Midsummer celebrations In this portrait of Emma with her Summer Solstice wild flower garland, the background is well out of focus and does not distract.

9-T_07_0772Medieval Festival In this portrait of a street performer in Switzerland, its clean background is a good example of concentrating the viewer's eye on the actor.

10-T_15_0738 For this portrait in Havana, I asked the lady to slant her umbrella behind her to hide the distracting background.

11-P_11_0188 For this portrait of Veda in the White Mountains, I got low and shot up to have the sky as a clean non-distracting background.

12-P_17_0035Jean Guerette

A little red goes a long way. Jean's jacket attracts the viewer's eye and the cool colours of the background recede.

You hardly notice the snowy trees for these reasons.

13-P_17_0120Max O'Hagan Moving in close and filling the frame with the main subject is another technique, as in this portrait of Max and the following one of Veda.

14-P_18_0067 So to improve your portraits of family, friends, or people you encounter in your travels, remember to scrutinize the background.

I believe that then you will be happier with your photos.