One of my main objectives when shooting pictures is to focus the viewer's attention on my intended subject. I want to keep things as easy and simple for the viewer as possible. Focusing the viewer's attention on the subject can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including:

1. Using a narrow depth of field (larger aperture) to keep the subject in sharp focus while rendering everything else in the frame out of focus.
2. Selecting a subject in which its color differentiates itself from the rest of the elements in the frame.
3. Shifting the point of view so that unwanted elements (clutter) are removed from the background.
4. Allowing the subject to take up a larger space within the frame by moving physically closer or using a longer focal length.

My recent trip to Gettysburg involved implementing most of these techniques. During the reenactment event, I photographed some reenactors at the Union camp one afternoon. These portraits can be challenging due to the harsh light and distracting elements.

For this photograph, I...

1. Moved closer to my subject
2. Used a longer focal length (86mm)
3. Got down low to remove some background elements

Woman reading By taking a step back, more of the clutter is evident (photo courtesy of Earl Evans, a fellow photographer at this event):