Addressing Background Photobombing for the Benefit of the Foreground Subject
The misfortune that had befallen me. After my first Covid vaccine shot, I thought it was a good idea to go out for my daily 3.5 mile (5.5 km) run. I mean, I felt great. Unfortunately, how I felt was not indicative of how I really was. In short, I was a little under the influence of my immune system taking glucose away from my brain. As a result, I was not mindful during my run, which then led to a brief lapse of awareness when I tripped on uneven ground. Long story short, I sprained my ankle and hobbled back at mile two because I lost homeostasis.
You’d think that I learned my painful lesson after my first shot. But, you’d be wrong. What I did not expect after my second shot was just how invigorated I felt. In fact, I made dinner for myself that night. It was the first time I prepared a proper meal for myself in over twelve years. So the next day, as you would expect, I decided to go for my run. I felt great. But soon after the endorphins, endocannabinoid, and cortisol wore off, I began to feel a dip in glucose again. I felt chills. Shortly afterwards, I felt warm. I knew then my thermoregulation was off.
So, why all the fuss about my vaccination experience? Well, this photowalk was affected by my first jab. It was the day after my fall. As such, I was not able bodied enough to walk around too much - which was why I made camp by the harbor once again. Unfortunately, the area was swarmed by flocks of like-minded truant workers taking advantage of the pleasant weather - all compromising the integrity of my background. Because of that, I was unable to remain stationary and was forced to relocate when the photobombing became intolerable.
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm. Wide angle lens diminishing the stature of far away strays and passersby.
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm. Stray passersby edited out of background in post. Hazard of rangefinder photography.
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm. A stray in the background that I haven’t edited out yet. Maybe I’ll do that on a later date.
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm. Shooting closer will pretty much insure that you will not capture strays and passersby in the background.
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
You would think that my background concerns were greatly exaggerated, given my choice of subject. I mean, what could possibly go wrong with photographing my willing partners-in-waiting? They’re always photogenic and ready for the shot. So, what is the big deal over a couple of passersby photobombing my background? Of course for an obsessive compulsive like me, it is a big deal. Once that happens - as when an unwelcome stray enters the frame - the attention is no longer fixed upon the subject and is abruptly shared with the interloper.
It boggles the mind that photo opportunities can be ruined by strays and passersby. Why does it happen? The knee jerk response would be to blame the interloper intruding in-frame. But, should we really blame the blight on external factors? It would be like blaming the weather for a poorly captured photo. Because of that, I assert that the blame must be placed on the photographer for obsessing too much on the foreground subject, given the conventional fixation that the subject is the point of the photo - much to the detriment of the background.
Contrary to conventional fixations, photography is not all about the foreground subject. Although it is true that the subject is generally the center of attention, what is often forgotten is that the background is the foundation that makes that center of attention possible. In practice and function, the background provides compositional opportunities and environmental context to the photo. When done correctly, the background will enhance the foreground subject. But if the background is photobombed, then the resulting image capture will be ruined.
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm. I often take photos on the pier because I can close the spread between the foreground subject and the guard rail (to exclude strays and passersby) while still capture a wide background expanse separated by water that is distant from the subject.
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
To address the blight of strays and passersby intruding in-frame, photographers must invariably be mindful of their framing by giving greater attention to the background. Armed with a renewed awareness of background relevance, a photographer can then begin the tedious process of adopting strategies that can mitigate, avoid, or eliminate strays and passersby from ruining an otherwise perfect image capture of the foreground subject. Only by executing the following prescribed strategies can a photo be spared from the dreaded photobomb.
First, one can choose to be patient and wait for strays and passersby to be clear of the frame. In doing so, the photographer avoids capturing unwanted photobombs. The benefit of this strategy is its convenience - since no preparation is required. That said, there is the disadvantage of unpredictability. One never knows when the background will be clear of strays and passersby. As a result, this extends the wait time before the shot, which disrupts the free flow of subject direction and movement, and makes the subject’s pose appear less natural.
Second, one can close the distance between the foreground subject and the background. In other words, the threat of photobombing can be avoided if there is not enough space for strays and passersby to slip between the foreground subject and the background. However, there will always be that threat of strays and passersby entering inopportunely in front of the subject. Of course, this problem can be remedied with the use of a wide angle lens, since the distance between the foreground subject and the photographer will also be closed.
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm. Although not quite shooting wide open, the strays in the background are somewhat blurred out. I know, this isn’t exactly the best example. But you get my meaning.
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Third, one can choose a focal length to mitigate the unintended capture of background strays and passersby. For example, wider angles can be used to decrease the stature of background interlopers - albeit at the risk of increasing inclusiveness in coverage. By comparison, tighter angles can be used to decrease inclusiveness in coverage of background interlopers - albeit at the risk of increasing their stature. That said, neither approach is foolproof. This strategy still requires a demonstration of patience to insure that photobombs are mitigated.
Fourth, one can shoot wide open to blur out the background. In doing so, the presence of irritating strays and passersby are eliminated from the image. The benefit of this strategy is its overall simplicity - since it does not require photographers to avoid strays and passersby far in the background. That said, background interlopers that are too close to the foreground subject will not be blurred out. Because of that, shooting wide open is not a foolproof strategy. It still requires photographers to wait for nearby strays and passersby to exit the frame.
Fifth, one can shoot multiple frames of the same photo opportunity. As a strategy, the intent (or rather hope) is to avoid unintended strays and passersby in at least one of the captured frame. That said, this methodology of spraying and praying is an inefficient and amateurish way of avoiding the dreaded photobomb. On top of that, the chances of capturing a photo with the preferred foreground subject and a photobomb free background is unlikely. Mind you, having multiple frames of the same photo opportunity does offer intervention possibilities.
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm. One particular intrusive passersby was edited out of the background. That said, I was too lazy to edit out the remainder.
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
An example is this final strategy. If all else fails, offending background strays and passersby can be eliminated in post-processing. Of course, this is a very tedious process that requires one to be proficient in post-process editing. Unfortunately, most photographers are not expert retouchers. As such, editing in post is not a realistic option for most. Moreover, it is an inefficient strategy, given how time consuming it is. That said, it can at times be the only way to salvage a perfect image capture of the foreground subject ruined by strays and passersby.
But how? This is when we combine the last two strategy. You see, when one sprays and prays, one will usually end up with one perfect capture of the foreground subject ruined by strays and passersby and one capture of the background that is photobomb free. In that case, one can cut the photobomb free background and paste it onto the perfect capture of the foreground subject where the photobomb is situated. Of course, some skills are still involved in editing. However, combining two almost identical capture together simplifies the process.
If you would like to know what the editing entails, it is just a matter of working with layers, transparencies, free transforming, the rubber stamp tool, and the eraser tool. Knowing that, it does make sense to take a couple of backup shots whenever the background is not clear of strays and passersby - just in case. Frankly, this is what I do in situations like this - hence the disclosures of editing you might see from time to time in my captions. As inauthentic as editing is, I am still proud that I can save an otherwise perfect photo ruined by the background.
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm. Best way to avoid background strays and passersby is to shoot where there isn’t anyone else around.
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Kodak Ektachrome E100 @ 35mm
Maybe that is the lesson, if one hopes to optimize background documentation. Be mindful of the background, adopt multiple strategies to optimize background capture (by avoiding, mitigating, and eliminating strays and passersby), and then take a couple of backup shots in case the need arises to combine the preferred capture of the foreground subject with a photobomb free background.
Of course, the best strategy is one I have not mention. Take photos when and where no one else is around. As for the foreground, I would not worry too much about allocating inordinate attention to the background. Thing is, we are all too obsessed about the foreground subject to ever let that happen.
Special thanks to Beatrice for joining me on this photowalk. Again, I really appreciate the matching face mask. Last, if you do decide to take the Covid 19 vaccine, please remember to consume copious amounts of simple carbohydrates, in order to maintain homeostasis while compensating for your immune system’s sudden need for more glucose. And please, do not go out for a run! Take it easy and binge watch something on Netflix.
