Background is one of a very important aspect in photography. Although it is not the main subject, but it will influence the mood and the look of overall image.
There is a common rule that applicable to photography of miniature-models: simplify the background.
With a simple background, the attention of the viewer will be focused to the subject, the miniature itself, not distracted by the background. A cluttered background will distract viewer's attention and may create confusion.
So whenever you take pictures of miniature-models, pay attention to the background.


1. Paper/linen background

This is the most common background used for miniature-models photography. Most of the photographs in this tutorial were shot using this type of background.
The background consists of a sheet of paper or linen, white or colored, laid on the table while half of it curved vertically.
See picture on the left.
This kind of background is the easiest, can be set up almost anywhere; on top of a table with the wall behind, even on the sofa. No special equipment will be needed.

The most important thing to note: do not use glossy paper. If you have no choice but to use semi-gloss or glossy, then the lighting must be very carefully arranged to prevent unsightly reflections.

Paper is usually the preferred material for background due to its properties: matt surface and smooth surface. While linen may be good for human portraiture, but probably not for miniature photographs due to its textured surface.

2. Natural background

This is another simple background: find a nice place (usually outdoor) and put the miniature-model somewhere, then shoot.
Although simple and easy, but sometimes the problem is how to carry the miniature around. Lucky if you can find the right place around your house, otherwise that fragile miniature has to travel.

In applying this background, a careful study has to be carried out on the area to prevent anomalies. For example:
any "scale-suggesting" objects shall not be visible near the miniature. Imagine that you take a picture of your 1/48 F-16 and a small flower sprout out near the plane. Later on in the photograph, that flower will show as a giant flower.

Objects which causing anachronism, or out of place, shall not be included in the photo. And the camera is usually at ground-position instead of elevated (see the previous chapter about "Viewing Angle").

3. Image background

The idea here; is to take a picture of the miniature-model in front of another picture, in similar manner as a portraiture in a photo-studio where the subject stand in front of a backdrop landscape.
The weakness of this method is; less flexibility in the composition, and you will need many backdrops to get many different viewing angle. If you have only one backdrop, then all of your photographs will look the same, although the miniature itself may be different.
Beside using landscape photo printed on paper as a backdrop, it is also possible to use a PC monitor, as long as the size of the miniature-model is smaller than the size of the screen. In the case of PC monitor as the backdrop, the camera must be set at slow shutter-speed, preferably less than 1/20 second, except if the monitor is LCD then higher shutter-speed will be acceptable.

In using a pre-printed backdrop, you have to be careful about the shadow. The miniature itself shall not cast its own shadow into the backdrop, otherwise the photograph will look weird. Therefore separate the miniature and the backdrop with adequate space.

4. Superimposed background

Super-imposed background is the most complicated among others. In the old days of film, it requires dark-room manipulation. But in today's digital age, we use computer and digital images.

The concept is: to merge two images. The image of the miniature-model and the image of the background. The two photographs can be shot separately, but there are things to remember:

- The background of the miniature in the photograph must be plain color, preferably white or blue. This is to allow easier cutting of the subject.

- To create a convincing photograph, the quality of light of the two images must be the same. If you merge two images with different quality of light, the result will be obviously un-natural.

The technique of superimposing images to create this kind of background, will be covered fully in Chapter 8. "The Flying Aircraft".

5. Ornamental background & prop

Miniature-models photographed with this kind of background is mostly for aesthetical or art purposes rather than replication of the real scene. Therefore it is no limit on what kind of objects may be included, although the basic rule of "simplifying the background" will still be applicable.
The above photo shows a Ford Mustang in 1/24 scale, photographed on the dining plate with fork and knife. And below is the photograph of a Mini Cooper in 1/87 scale made by Herpa, is riding up a coin.
Both photos do not reflect the real scene of the actual cars, but both of them are nice.