Textured backgrounds work great in adding a sense of depth and injecting some interest into the portrait. If you feel that your studio portraits are lacking a kick, try replacing your plain background with a textured one. You will certainly notice some positive differences in the results. To try out this idea, you can replace the plain background with a textured one in post. Photographer Gavin Hoey from Adorama shows you how you can add texture to portraits taken against plain studio walls:
The idea is to light your subject and the background like you normally would. Although you’ll be replacing the background in post, it’s essential that you light it exactly like you’d light a textured background. Doing so will make your work so much easier when working in post.
Then, all you need to do is to import your desired background pattern into Photoshop along with the portrait and try out the various blending modes. The exact blending mode depends on the final mood you want to give to the image. It also depends on your photo and the texture that you’re using.
Once the texture is in place, be sure to add some blur to it. This replicates the shallow depth of field effect. Then, using a layer mask, get rid of the texture from over the model.
Some of you might prefer to work with a real textured wall in your studio. That’s a great idea. But, working in post is great too as this gives you greater versatility.
“There’s a big advantage to adding texture in Photoshop. You’re not stuck with the same textured wall in your studio for ever and ever.”
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Very informative video. Simple but very effective