The background one uses can make a huge difference in the quality of the photograph. A background that is too simple or too white can create the potential for a boring photograph with too much glare; a background that is too complicated can create a muddied photograph. The ideal background would be one that is bland enough to let the subject stand out while just interesting enough to prevent the photograph from being too boring. This is why photographers like using a concrete background: It provides a great background, making for a great photograph.

Making Colors Pop

A concrete background is usually shades of white and light gray, sometimes with darker splotches. This makes for a great background to contrast colors against; colors just pop when they have shades of gray to play against. This can make even pastels look brighter, and already bright colors look just that much richer and deeper. For those working with subjects where the colors are a bit more subdued, such as with some foods or simple objects, such as for menu or catalog photographs, this can help brighten them and make their colors truly stand out, ensuring a happy client.

Making Subjects Stand Out

Of course, this applies just as much to subjects in general; even a basic human form looks a little more dramatic when concrete backgrounds are used. The simplicity of the background helps produce some simple yet dramatic effects, even when done in black and white; the concrete background gives the photograph a nice classic feel. Because the background stays in the background yet is not completely boring, it prevents the photograph itself from becoming boring, and actually provides a great contrast to whatever else is happening in the picture, making for a great picture of the subject in question.

For the uninitiated, a concrete background may sound like a ridiculous option: A picture of concrete sounds like one of the worst backgrounds you could ever use, especially when you are used to using pictures of forests and cities. However, the simplicity and starkness of the pattern backed by the simple shades of black and white can make for a really great background, especially for those who use simple patterns and want to see their colors really pop. For those looking for some really great pictures, concrete backgrounds may be well worth looking into, especially for those looking for a simple tool that adds complexity to the picture.