Improve the Background Composition of your Pictures

Here are 4 quick things to look for in your background before you snap your picture!

1. Check to make sure the horizon is not cutting through your child’s head.  The next two images illustrate how changing your perspective can eliminate the chance of a horizon slicing through someone's head.  In the first image, I stood up tall to take the shot. In the second image, I was laying on the grass. All I did was change my height.

2.  Do you have any objects growing out of your child’s head? Move to the side. Trees and poles are famous for causing this issue. In the first image, you can see the tree directly above the boys head. In the following image, the tree is off to the side. I did not move my position, he was walking around and I was able to grab a stronger shot.

3. Look for a solid background, the sky, the ground, a large bush, a solid wall or door. When you have these simple backgrounds your child is a strong focus in the picture.

4. Often, there can be elements in the background that distract from your child and do not add anything to the story your picture is expressing.  Certain colors - red and white grab our attention and can distract. If you can, simply move your child or yourself to hide the distraction or eliminate if from the frame, your image can be strengthened.  In this image, I am ok with the white golf cart in the background because it adds to the story.  If it were a garbage can, I would want to remove it from the frame.  I wouldn't mind the people in the background being in the frame if they were more to the left and not directly behind my daughter.  In their current position they are too close and distracting the focus from my daughter.