street to reduce the recorded size of the building (or other object) so that it will
fit into the small space of the background area.
The same is true in classic outdoor poses. Many photographers are used to
selecting a background for a full length pose, posing the client, then zooming
in to take a head and shoulders pose. This often produces a background that is
a wash of green—a background that could have been produced in the studio
with a green mottled background. The background foliage needs to be closer
to the subject in a head and shoulders pose than in a full length to provide some
detail.
Although many photographers adjust the height of the camera based on their
comfort, there is a huge difference in someone’s appearance as you raise and
lower the camera angle. On location, there are also big changes in the back-
ground. Elevating the camera really high above the subject can achieve a very
unique look, as can lowering the camera toward the ground to shoot at an up-
ward angle.The background foliage
needs to be closer to
the subject in a head
and shoulders pose.