How to Create a Subtle Background for Portraits
- 1). Find a large piece of fabric in a neutral tone, such as gray or soft navy blue. Choose a cotton blend, or any material that does not have a sheen to it, to avoid reflections within the photos. It should also be as large as possible, so as to suit a variety of spaces.
- 2). Drape the fabric within the studio or photo space. Use heavy-duty tape to secure it to a wall, or fold it over top of an existing screen or structure that is large enough for the portrait subject(s).
- 3). Adjust the fabric so that it falls loosely, not stretched taut. Move sections of it closer to one another, creating folds. This loose, draped look creates a soft backdrop that is complementary to any subject.
- 4). Focus your background lighting on the folds in the fabric to add a subtle form of depth to the photos. The photographs will be focused on the subject, but this will create a luminescence throughout the entire image.
