Creating Effective Backgrounds for Photoshop

Creating impressive compositions in Photoshop starts not only with the right techniques but also with high-quality source material. To create emotional and engaging backgrounds, it is important to pay attention to the appropriate image selection. This guide shows you how to find effective ways to acquire background material and which techniques you can use to photograph or create your own backgrounds.

Key Insights

• Self-photographed backgrounds can be unique, but they require time and planning.
• Stock images provide a quick solution to access high-quality background material.
• 3D elements in Photoshop offer creative possibilities for background design.
• Digital painting opens up new dimensions for creating backgrounds.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Photograph Your Own Backgrounds

The first and most obvious way to obtain backgrounds is to use self-taken images. You could go out to the street or travel into nature and capture your surroundings.

It is always helpful if you already have a visual idea that you want to implement. However, that is often not the case. Therefore, when photographing, pay attention to ensuring that the perspective and light fit well with your later composition.

Make sure to photograph models from the right perspective. I often photograph my models from a low angle. This ensures that the backgrounds match the depicted individuals better.

Light also plays a crucial role. Diffused light is particularly advantageous, which you can capture on cloudy days or during the morning and evening hours. Avoid harsh sunlight, as it creates strong shadows that complicate post-processing.

2. Use Stock Images

An efficient way to acquire backgrounds is by using stock images. Personally, I use platforms like Fotolia to access high-quality backgrounds. There are many providers, including Shutterstock and Adobe Stock. Try different platforms to find the best deals.

In a later video, I will show you how I specifically search for images on Fotolia.

3. Create 3D Elements

Using 3D elements in Photoshop is an exciting method to develop your own backgrounds. Adobe's continuous improvement of these features allows you to quickly create geometric shapes in programs like Google SketchUp. You can then import these into Photoshop for further processing.

For example, I created a 3D element for a Halloween theme and used it to create a unique image.

The great thing about it is that you can adjust the 3D models in Photoshop according to your needs, illuminate them, and add additional effects.

4. Painting Backgrounds

If you are artistically inclined, painting offers another way to create custom backgrounds. Perhaps you know someone who is good at drawing or painting? Utilize these talents for your projects to obtain unique and original backgrounds.

For example, I received a background from a talented artist who implemented their own vision in digital painting for me.

Keep in mind that there are no creative limits when painting; you can create scenes that do not exist in reality or travel to places you have never visited.

5. Collaborate with Other Artists

If you do not have artistic skills yourself, do not hesitate to collaborate with others. Whether on platforms like DeviantArt or among your friends – there are certainly talented artists who are willing to help you.

Open requests and collaborations can lead to exciting results and open up new possibilities in your projects.

Summary - Source Material for Backgrounds in Photoshop

There are various ways to acquire high-quality source material for backgrounds in Photoshop. Whether through your own photographs, stock images, 3D elements, or digital painting – the possibilities are as diverse as they are creative. Use these approaches to elevate your compositions to a new level and achieve impressive results.