GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

A local Civil War historian want to get a portrait this fall with some background to augment it. He plans to use it for talks, lectures and maybe a business card.

What suggestions would you have about something like this?

I favor a slightly blurred fore and background. He may want 100% focus, I don't really know at this time.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Nothing stopping you from doing both. Either shooting it both ways, or shooting it with everything in focus, and using post processing to blur the background.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Personally since the use is multiple I would use a chroma key background and select composite background(s) as needed.

As to sharp or not... Sharpness is always best in my opinion as if you can always tone down the sharpness in PP. A blurred image cannot be sharpened correctly after the fact.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

GENorkus experience is a brutal teacher... never assume, instead reach agreement and acceptance during the planning stage for an assignment. Also licensing/usage need to be carefully negotiated... and your fee adjusted accordingly... Don't sell yourself short here...

As for including contextual elements i.e. background within the image? Always wise to query your client for examples (go-by) of what they believe is appropriate and germane to meet their needs. Lacking this I general ask them to select images from my on-line portfolio that best convey the visual statement they are seeking... Verbiage is at best a poor substitute for example photos...

Important Note: On many high end editorial assignments which I assist the photographer shoots tethered and gets agreement and acceptance in real-time during the shoot from either the client and/or their creative director... Lacking a tethered scenario then the image viewed on the back of the camera can be of merit here...

Shooting location is always a bear... you would be well advised to retain a lighting assistant (it's a pass through expense)...
Direct sunlight seriously needs to be scrimmed... btw Westcott's Scrim Jim is an industry standard. Heavy overcast is mother nature's huge softbox albeit a tad flat and will shadow under the eyes (unacceptable) thus a pop of fill flash is germane (typically a stop under ambient) which provides charismatic catch lights in the pupil/iris...

As mentioned... the degree of background bokeh is at the discretion of the client... That said wise to bracket aperture here... or better yet if shooting Nikon use their 105mm or 135mm f/2 DC lens which are legendary for background bokeh and afford more granularity of control then any other optics available...

Autumn brilliance in the vivid flora of Tennessee could prove to be a fantastic adjunct to this endeavor...
Please enjoy this assignment... Sounds totally intriguing...

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I do not know what backgrounds you have. I would propose a black or dark tan. If you want to check out this and show him options that you can do in PS.
https://www.google.com/search?q=civil+war+backgrounds&tbm=isch&imgil=-aY-BI-8H9xWwM%253A%253Bnej4qcY8Uk3wMM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwallpapercave.com%25252Fcivil-war-backgrounds&source=iu&pf=m&fir=-aY-BI-8H9xWwM%253A%252Cnej4qcY8Uk3wMM%252C_&usg=__RhtoiE-z5eVALNNIMcg7jXQtBac%3D&biw=1280&bih=640&ved=0ahUKEwjt48vSzrLPAhWCaT4KHXMHDb8QyjcILA&ei=hwHsV62EE4LT-QHzjrT4Cw#imgrc=-aY-BI-8H9xWwM%3A

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Thanks to all for the suggestions and thoughts.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Work with the subject and have him indicate what backgrounds he'd prefer. If he wants everything in focus, that's what I'd give him. He is, after all, the client.
--Bob

marty wild Loc: England

To get good blurred back ground you need distance nifty 50 or a full frame body check my Flickr page file Tatcaster jades that was done with crop sensor and a nifty 50 with about 30 lm back ground

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Honestly, if he's a historian, I would just ask him where some near by historical locations are. I was surprised when I did the same thing. Seems there are interesting historical facts around just about any community if you just know where to look.

Even if it is just near a statue, an old battlefield, Underground RR spot, etc. In my community, we even have the occasional cannon (not Canon) in parks that could be used in photos.

Never be afraid to ask your subject for meaningful locations. I do it even with family portraits. If the photo is taken at a location meaningful to the family, you will sell more, and larger prints.

some people feel funny about asking for locations. In my experience, people like to be "listened to", so ask away.

Just my 2 cents

Robeng Loc: California

Here you go!

First two images plain white sheet faking it as a tent. Last image shot using a Savage screen.

Rob