Badge: Background Images

Images can be created or found and photographed. The trick is to be aware of where you are and what’s around you.

Steps

1. Standard.

Take a photo. Instant background. It’s not hard to do. More than likely, if you have a newer smart phone, the resolution will be good enough to print to an 8.5 x 11 page. Go outside and take some pictures that would work for a background image.

2. Macros.

Getting up close is a different way to create a background. You can see the detail in objects. Try varying the size of the elements in your photos. What kinds of backgrounds can you generate this way?

3. Angles.

Changing the angle of a shot can make a big difference in your photos. Try changing your location for some different angle shots. Shoot the same element and only change your angle.

Bird’s eye
High (above)
Face-to-face (level with your subject)
Low (below)
Bug’s view

4. Panoramic.

You may create a strip of photo as your background. Panoramic shots are great for this. Taking these requires practice . . . I’ve shot quite a few myself and having items chopped in half or having them shift up and down will ruin your image. Experiment with taking these shots.

5. Video.

An alternative to shooting photos is shooting video. You’ll need software to pull specific images out of a video, but sometimes you can get better shots if you’re using video. Experiment with this as a way to create background images.

NOTE: You can create a panoramic view from a series of images from your videos to show progression as a different type of background.

Specifics

6. Abandoned.

Taking pictures of abandoned items can bring forth many feelings . . . especially if the viewer connects with the item abandoned. This isn’t just houses or cars sitting in overgrown grass. It might be a broken bicycle, lost shoe or any other item. Look for abandoned items that you can take photos of that will work as a background. Do both close up images and those farther away for more variety in your backgrounds.

7. Alphabets.

You can take images of all the letters of the alphabet, specific letters, specific words or even phrases. Incorporating these types of images can be a bit more challenging as you want to link the letters and words to the other elements in your final background. Look for some that you might take and brainstorm ways to use the background after you’ve created it.

8. Architecture.

Architecture is an interesting item to take photos of for a background. It’s not just buildings and bridges. Look at architectural elements. Taking an image of bricks straight on looks completely different from when you take an image with your phone almost touching the wall. Iron work adds complexity and movement. Macro images of carvings or other embellishments can be very interesting. Look at local architecture. What kinds of pictures can you take for background images?

9. Craft.

My daughter’s favorite blanket started fraying and my mom put a satin fabric edge on it. Then, she cross stitched a pillow to go with it. My daughter carried the two pieces for years. I scanned part of the blanket and the pillow to use as scrapbooking backgrounds. Both of these are finished projects, but don’t stop there.

Collections of craft materials such as fibers, fabrics, markers or anything else can be used as a background. Also, combining the elements with the final product gives you a “before” and “after” effect. Experiment with taking background images of all three ways to capture craft items.

10. Fabrics.

Fabrics, especially vintage fabrics, can make an interesting background. Don’t just think flat. Folded, slightly ruffled to add interest and other arrangements can change up the look of fabric. Check out different types of fabric from shiny satin to heavy upholstery fabric. Try to take images both flat and dimensional. How can you use backgrounds made from these types of images?

11. Found.

Found items are everywhere. Go to garage sales and pull stuff from the free box. At the beach, look for things people have left behind. See what the birds in your front yard incorporated into their nest. While most of this stuff may be “garbage”, it can still serve a purpose. Do you have items around your house that you can use? A single sock? A key that no longer has a purpose?

NOTE: Long ago, a friend of mine made a mixed media piece with all the garbage she collected off the beach over a weekend. If you’re looking to say something about waste, this would wonderful to use as a background.

12. Nature.

Nature affords many ways to create backgrounds. From landscapes to sunsets, images covering large areas can be beautiful. A tree starting to change to fall colors can speak to the season. A single flower with a ladybug can be more personal. Spend some time outside and look for background image opportunities.

13. Signs.

You can start with stop and speed limit signs. However, people make all sorts of signs and put them up everywhere. I’m sure you’ve seen the ones churches put up with sayings that are a play on scriptures and beliefs.

What else can you find to photograph? Perhaps it’s a political sign with a candidate you can’t stand. Or a telephone pole wrapped with garage sale signs and street art printables. Even a sign with balloons showing the way to a party would be a good background image. Watch out for the signs you see everyday and normally overlook.

14. Wallpapers.

The stuff you put on your wall, not on your computer screen. Wallpapers change with currently popular colors and styles. Vintage papers are often sought out for renovating old buildings. Yes, I’ve taken pictures of cool wallpaper when I’m in a restaurant or old building. Perhaps you should try too?

15. Yours.

Start with the photos you’ve already taken. My “foot” photos, as my family call them, are all the cool textures, patterns and other items I see. Sounds crazy, but when you need a background in your Disney scrapbook, the tile pattern on the floor color-coordinates with the background elements of the photos you take with the kids. And they thought I was crazy!

Continue taking photos of the things you find interesting so you can make your own unique digital backgrounds.

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EP_Badge List_Background Images_larajla — list of badge items
EP_Badge Set_Background Images_larajla — list of badge set and related badges
EP_Supp_List_Background Images_larajla — list of supplements for the badge
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SUPP_Background Images_Journal_larajla — badge journal
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Badge: Background Images

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