Old Paper Background Portrait

Our collection of 16 old paper background portrait

One of the most common types of backdrops used in Photoshop is paper. The collection has a wide range of textures and colors that will work for any photoshoot.

Digital paper backdrops are very popular because they can be used in so many different ways. Paper has many different textures that can instantly change the tone and mood of your photo shoot.

This is also why some digital artists and photographers prefer paper backdrops over others. Paper has a more natural feel than other materials, and it’s easy for both professional and amateur photographers to work with.

The history of paper is closely connected with the history of culture and science.

The stone that started the history of paper is obvious and, at the same time very important.

Humans had an urgent need: to communicate certain information to their peers in written form. The information had to be fixed on a light, resistant, and easily transportable carrier.

The invention of paper allowed us to replace papyrus and parchment with a material that was easier to produce and, thanks to the perfection of manufacturing techniques, less expensive.

The advent of digital media has perhaps dimmed the role of paper in the dissemination of knowledge. Nevertheless, we must not forget that until a few decades ago, the transmission of any kind of knowledge took place on a sheet of paper.

The history of paper has accompanied the development of man over the centuries: from the transmission of new knowledge in science and philosophy to the spread of education to the achievement of a political and historical consciousness that ushered in the birth of modern states.

The history of the paper: its beginnings in China

Historical sources attribute the invention of paper to Cai Lun, a dignitary of the Chinese imperial court who began making sheets of paper in 105 AD, using scraps of used cloth, tree bark, and fishing nets.

The Chinese carefully guarded the secret of their manufacture for many centuries until, in the 6th century AD, their invention reached Japan thanks to the Buddhist monk Dam Jing.

The Japanese immediately adopted these techniques for making paper and began using a pulp obtained from the bark of the mulberry tree, producing the valuable material.

The arrival of paper in Europe

Paper did not arrive in Europe until the 11th century, with the Arab invasion of Sicily and Spain. And, unlike parchment, it was immediately considered an inferior material, so much so that in 1221, Frederick II even issued an edict banning its use for public documents.

This was because the use of rice starch stimulated the appetite of insects and thus made the paper less durable.

The history of paper owes much to the Italian papermakers of Fabriano, a small town in the Marche region, who began making paper using linen and hemp in the 12th century.

Paper as a means of mass communication

Industrial paper production began in the 19th century with the development of high-circulation newspapers and the first best-selling novels, which required large quantities of cellulose at low prices.

As early as 1797, Louis-Nicolas Robert developed the first fourdrinier paper machine that could produce a sheet 60 cm long. When the supply of rags needed for papermaking began to run out, attempts were made to replace them with other materials such as pulp obtained from wood.

With the development of new techniques for processing plant fibers from trees, the price of paper decreased significantly, and in the course of a few years, the material became a product of everyday use.

Check out this Yellow Portrait Background for Portrait and also look at Da Vinci inspired Backgrounds if you are more into the old masters style.

The old paper portrait backgrounds can be used with photo editing software that allows layers, for example, Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Luminar, Affiniti Photo and Gimp.

How to use the Backgrounds in Photoshop

1. Open your original image and process it any way you like. Once done, flatten the image.
2. Add the background image as a new layer above your original image and change the blend mode for the background layer to Overlay or Soft Light.
3. You can also try other blend modes like Darken, Multiply, Color Burn, Darker Color, Lighten, Screen, Color Dodge, Lighter Color, Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, Difference, Exclusion, Hue, Saturation, Color, and Luminosity
4. You can also experiment with the opacity of the background layer or add several other adjustment layers till you are satisfied with the result.
5. Add a layer mask to the background layer and use a brush to mask the background from your subject.

Why is the background of a picture so important?

The background sets the tone for the rest of your composition. A good background will add to the story, tell you important things about your setting, and make your photo look much better. You should pay just as much attention to the background as you do to the subject.

How should a good background look?

You want it to be clutter-free and tidy enough so that readers can concentrate fully on your subject. Go for a background with a limited number of colors and patterns. This contrast between your model and their surroundings visually enhances the cleanliness of the scene.

How to select a color for the background?

When thinking of background ideas, ensure that the color of the background goes well with the color of your subject’s skin and clothes instead of drawing attention away from them. Color theory is a big part of what I do, and it’s important for photographers to understand it.

You can only use these items for yourself or your business. This license only applies to the one person who bought it. This license doesn’t cover businesses or partnerships, and it can’t be sold, lent, or given to another person or group.

You can’t share, loan or redistribute/sell or copy any of these files in any way. Due to the fact that these items can be downloaded, all digital sales are final. No refunds, returns, or exchanges are possible.

Thanks to Alexander Jawfox