Are You Being Judged by the Style of Your Images? Side-By-Side Comparisons of Different Photos
December 16, 2010
Patchwork Quilt, Small Pieces of Time
©1989 by Harriete Estel Berman
vintage steel dollhouses
Dark background example
Photo Credit: Philip Cohen.
The previous post, The Photographers Revealed! Photograph Comparisons Side-By-Side showcased a series of images as a comparison of different backgrounds. ASK Harriete will evaluate these comparisons from several directions. Two consensus opinions have already stood out: first, one type of background is not effective in every situation, and second, YES, you are being judged by the style of the photographic images!
Patchwork Quilt, Small Pieces of Time
©1989 by Harriete Estel Berman
vintage steel dollhouses
1990 Cover photo for Metalsmith Mag.
Photo Credit: Philip Cohen.
Image backgrounds are becoming a stylistic issue (or "trend", if you want to call it that). In fact, the choice of backgrounds for a photographic image may even be placing your work into a "category" of the art or craft world. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I think there is ample evidence.
Octagonal Bracelet
Harriete Estel Berman © 2001
Recycled tin cans
Graduated background with reflection
Photo Credit: Philip Cohen.
Multiple observations were formed while I was studying the previous post, comments by readers, and in discussion with Brigitte Martin and Andy Cooperman (as we prepare the Professional Development Seminar). Now there are too many remarks for one post.
Oreo "Unlock the Magic"
©1989 Harriete Estel Berman
Recycled tin cans, 10k gold, brass
Photo Credit: Steven Brian Samuels
My plan is to discuss the pros and cons for each type of background:
- White
- Graduated
- Black
- Colored
Each photographic background will be discussed, one per post, over the next four posts. If you have a comment, write your comments below or email me directly as the posts continue.
Harriete
This is the third post, in the series titled:
Photographic Comparisons Side-By-Side
Previous posts include: The Photographers Revealed.
This post was updated on January 24, 2022.