Whenever composing an image while looking through the viewfinder or lcd screen make sure to take note of the background.
Specifically, if there is a human subject in the foreground it is important to notice what is directly behind their head. This is one of those details we may not consciously notice at first, but it definitely is felt by our unconscious.
Being aware of the background helps eliminate potential distractions and focus more on the subject.
| Notice how the background is helping to frame the subject here.
| Here the posters in the background are helping to frame the subject as well as the line created by the plywood. Maybe the graffiti that is coming off her head and ear is distracting, but I feel like it is helping create context supporting the type of neighborhood we were shooting in. Also, the graffiti color is very similar to the background color so it is not as distracting as a high contrast color would have been.
| The yellow ball above his head, and the vertical line created by the shelf near his face is potentially a distraction. At least the shelf line is the same color as the majority of the background. I was probably trying to avoid having the bright white picture frame near his face. If I were to re-shoot this I would move the yellow ball and silver club to the bottom shelf, as well as the picture frame directly behind his head.
Ultimately we want the background to work with the shot, and not against it.
What do you think?