Photo by Steve Berardi
This helps the viewer immediately focus on the subject, but should that always be your goal?
When you choose not to isolate your subject against it’s background, you reveal more about your subject (i.e. it’s habitat, size in comparison to other objects, etc).
Here are a few examples to help show what I mean:
Red-shouldered Hawk perched on a tree
Photo by Steve Berardi
When I first saw how this photo came out, I was a little upset. When taking the shot, I was hoping for the background to be completely out of focus, to help isolate the subject: a Red Shouldered Hawk.
But, after a few days I came back to this photo and decided I actually liked it, and here’s why: it helps show how much the hawk has adapted to his surroundings and blends in with his background. If the background was completely out of focus and was made up of one large single-color blob, this effect wouldn’t have been illustrated very well.
Having the background just slightly out of focus and not completely, also helps paint a picture of the hawk’s habitat, whereas a totally isolated hawk would just look like a big bird in front of a mysterious blob (the out of focus background).
Sanderling before the wave
Photo by Steve Berardi
Of course, I didn’t get too close to the bird, so when I uploaded the image at home, I had to make a decision about cropping. Although I could have cropped it by placing the Sanderling in a neat little square (thus, isolating it from the background). I chose to crop it as shown above, for a few reasons:
- That wave in the background is actually about to come crashing over the rock where the Sanderling is standing (forcing him to fly away). This helps tell a story with the photo, and we all love stories, right?
- Including the top of the wave in the background helps paint a picture of the Sanderling’s habitat (ocean shores)
Summary
So, although most of the time it makes sense to isolate your subject, and aim for a completely out-of-focus background, sometimes it’s good to give your subject some room and show some aspects of their environment or illustrate how well they blend in with their surroundings.
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About the Author: Steve Berardi is a naturalist, photographer, computer scientist, and founder of PhotoNaturalist. You can usually find him hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains or the Mojave Desert, both located in the beautiful state of California.
Ahhhh Steve love this post….as much as I would love to isolate my subject matter…I love the contast of the natural environment look and feel. Most of my shots that I take are like above with background. I don’t have many that have a background that is out of focus…I guess really it’s about you as a photographer…what your looking for in your photography. I’ve grown alot over the last few months and I’m learning something new everyday!! Going on a masive Hiking Trip into the interior of BC this month. Canoeing, hiking and also taking a trip to the Glacier peakes as well. My objective is more scenic shots since I haven’t mastered them yet…I’ve tried but have failed badly. Also hoping for some Bear shots, Elk, and I’m hopeful for an Owl. I will try and say hi when I get home maybe I will have something fabulous to show for my trip!! Again thanks for this wonderful post.
Crista Cowan
Victoria BC
Canada
Crista – good point that “it’s about you as a photographer” — it’s really easy sometimes to get bogged down by all the “rules” and forget your original reason of why you take photos in the first place. I think for everyone this reason is different, and everyone should take this into consideration when deciding to obey a “rule”
Your massive hiking trip sounds great! Wish I had a trip like that planned for this summer. Good luck with the landscape photos! Will there be “spirit bears” where you’re going? I saw photos of them recently.. pretty amazing looking animals..
Steve
Well Steve if I luck out and see one I will definately photograph it. I just bought an excellent Camera Case for my adventure. I needed more room for batteries…don’t want to be caught without extra’s that’s for sure. Have you checked out Steven Kazlowski’s photo’s of the Spirit Bears. He has captured the images close to where I’m headed. Hard to believe that these beautiful bears are related to the Black Bear. I expect to definately see Black..but if I see a Spirit I will definately not miss that opportunity. I’m headed into the mountains of Whistler accually…there are alot of lakes there and opportunities to hike into the lush forests. As well as take the opportunity to hike up the mountain sides. I love to stretch my long legs Steve does the soul good….
Sometimes you don’t have an option. If the animal you’re after is not cooperating, sometimes it is enough to just get the shot. One of the things I enjoy most about wildlife photography is you never know quite what you’re going to get! A chance encounter with an unexpected anilmal in an awkward place can often yield a shot which is artistically suboptimal – but more than worth it just for the sentimental value. But it is is good to know what it is you’re setting out to achieve.
@Crista – I have seen Steven Kazlowski’s spirit bear photos – they’re amazing! Hope you have a good trip!
@Ian – Good point! Most wildlife is so unpredictable, that you don’t have much time to make quick adjustments in settings and/or composition. Just getting the photo is often 90% of the work