Photographers are always doing whatever it takes to get the best possible shot. This can mean setting up the best possible light configuration, conferring with clients to make sure that they are dressing in acceptable colors. There are plenty of tricks that a photographer can use, and sometimes it ends up being something really simple that gets the job done. A lot of photographers have started using some sort of concrete background for the best possible effect, and it usually works pretty well. Again, sometimes the simplest solutions work, and sometimes that solution is the right background.
What They Are
A concrete background is pretty much what it sounds like: It is a photograph of a slab of concrete enlarged so that it can be used as a photographic backdrop. This is not just photographers getting bored of the usual backdrops; while the traditional backdrops certainly have their advantages, they have become the standard for a reason and so they are not going anywhere any time soon. However, photographers looking for something a little different have found the concrete backgrounds to be more interesting for some of the pictures that they take.
Why They Are Becoming Popular
A concrete background makes the photographer’s life a lot simpler. At the very least, they are easier to take light readings than some of the other backdrops, especially when those backdrops have a variety of different areas of different values. Their main use, however, is just enabling the subject to stand out that much easier; while traditional backdrops are great for a number of uses, some of them are just too dark and so can hide the subject. That is definitely not the case for concrete backdrops. Better yet, they can make professional catalog and menu work just look particularly good.
In general, a concrete background can make the photographer’s life a lot easier. They can make light checks a lot easier, and provide better contrast with most subjects, thus making the subject look better. They can also be used to give a slightly edgier look to the photograph, but that is just the nature of concrete itself. It is also less likely to lose the subject in the backdrop, making them great for work involving inanimate objects. With the proper use, concrete backdrops can make the photographer’s life a whole lot easier, allowing them to concentrate on the subject and not the background.
