Let an abstract background work for you

This time of year I do a lot of backyard bird photography. I love birds and it helps to keep me engaged in photography, especially when the weather is dreary or very cold.

Although not always possible, I try and make the background work for my composition instead of against it. It’s not always easy as birds sit mostly in cover like trees and bushes. I have both in my yard. So, I try and position myself to where the background becomes an abstract element in the image.

In the photo below I chose a 16:9 aspect ratio to show some of the abstract background pattern. The rust/mauve color that dominates the left side of the image is the trunk of our redbud tree. The light green is bushes, and the portions of white on both sides is snow. Yes, we got 3 inches of snow the other day – crazy for early November!

Overall with the charcoal/white junko positioned between the branches and the abstract background, I think this image worked out well.

Don’t be afraid of your background, just try and make it work for you. It may not always work out, but you won’t know unless you try.