Have you ever wished that you could improve the weather on the day of a portrait session?  Or, make a bleak background match the beauty of a bride?

  How would you like to know the secrets to changing  the look of locations?  Pounds Community member Carrell Grigsby will reveal her techniques for turning mediocre images into masterpieces at the TPPA Kerrville Summer Seminar.  Carrell gave us a sneak preview of her topic “Build that Background Library and Make it Work” so we could share it with you.  We thank Carrell for taking the time to answer our questions and send us her images.  To attend her  presentation, register for the Kerrville Summer Seminar.

What is a “background library?”
Images that can be used to enhance a scene or print. That might be as simple as blue sky with clouds to use when you have no pretty sky on the day of a portrait  to an Italian cathedral doorway to go behind a gorgeous bride.

What are the benefits of having a background library
Time and profit.  A beautiful scene that matches what the clients wanted to see can up the ante every time with very little work after the session.

How did you build your background library?
Years ago I started keeping all the test frames I took before the clients showed up for sessions.  A process evolved whereby I found that I often went back to those images to save time when combining images for the desired combination of subjects.

What skills do you need to create a background library, and to use it during post-productio

n?
Any good photographer can capture a beautiful or dramatic scene.  Follow up with good cataloging has to happen or the image will not be available for use.  Photoshop skills are absolutely necessary.  This program would not be useful for a film photographer.  My goal is to minimize the amount of work in Photoshop, but some skill will be required.

What kinds of images can you create with a background library?
There is no limit except the maker’s creativity and imagination.  The concept of background
enhancement  can go from making a family portrait just a little more dramatic to creating a PPA Loan Print.

How are you planning to expand and use your library in the future?
I’ve already done the “next step” by using Virtual Backgrounds, a wonderful system, and a green screen. I have had the best success with any of these by careful blending of images creating a “reality” that is believable to clients and judges.