SOME THINGS I'VE LEARNED : BLURRED CEMENT

So this is something that I've loved + learned over time..

blurred cement can actually make great backgrounds for portraits!!

I'm a firm believer that beauty is everywhere -- 

and you can make pretty much anything work for you -- if you're doing it right + using light well. 

I think maybe it's because I've lived in Iowa and not in places like Utah that has killer locations or Nashville with urban backgrounds everywhere -- and have to search a bit harder with locations for sessions, finding those hidden pockets for backgrounds + making things work for me.

Blurred cement is like magic..so great -- and can be so creamy + smooth as a background if you use it right.

But anyways, pretty much anyone has cement, gravel or dirt at their disposal -- 

so here you go, guys -- one of the most universal backgrounds people can access!! :)

THREE TIPS TO ACHIEVE THIS :

1. Shoot angled down on your subject.

2. Have the light coming from behind if you're shooting in sunlight (you can also use cement backgrounds when it's overcast or in a shaded spot -- it works then, too)

3. Use a wider aperture like 2.0 - 2.5 to get the blurred background.

I've included my settings below each photo for these photo examples so hopefully that is helpful..

have fun with cement, guys!! :)

Blurred cement :  50 mm f/2.5 1/800 ISO 100 Blurred cement : 35 mm f/2.2 1/500 ISO 100 Blurred pavement : 50 mm f/2.5 1/1000 ISO 500 Blurred cement / tin wall :  50 mm f/2.2 1/400 ISO 100 Different angle with this -- but blurred cement can help make great foregrounds in pictures.. 50 mm f/2.2 1/2000 ISO 400 Blurred cement blocks as foreground : 50 mm f/2.0 1/500 ISO 1000 Blurred pavement : 50 mm f/2.0 1/4000 ISO 500 Blurred pavement (check out that creamy golden blurred goodness.. #allthehearteyes) : 50 mm f/2.0 1/250 ISO 100 Blurred pavement : 50 mm f/2.8 1/400 ISO 200 Blurred gravel : 50 mm f/2.2 1/800 ISO 160 Blurred gravel : 50 mm f/2.0 1/4000 ISO 320 Blurred gravel : 50 mm f/2.0 1/2500 ISO 320 Blurred cement steps : 35 mm f/1.6 1/3200 ISO 500 Blurred pavement : 50 mm f/2.5 1/1600 ISO 500 Blurred dirt : 50 mm f/2.0 1/3200 ISO 500 Blurred dirt : 50 mm f/2.5 1/2000 ISO 200 Blurred gravel / grass : 50 mm f/2.0 1/800 ISO 100 Blurred cement blocks in patio area : 50 mm f/2.0 1/500 ISO 250 Blurred gravel : 50 mm f/2.5 1/320 ISO 500 Blurred gravel : 50 mm f/2.5 1/320 ISO 500 Blurred cement -- parking garage : 35 mm f/1.8 1/1000 ISO 320

To read more SOME THINGS I'VE LEARNED posts with photography tips -- click HERE!!

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What things have you learned as a photographer that work good for backgrounds?!!

I'd love to hear!!

Happy Thursday!!

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