Shooting against a plain backdrop is often what the client wants especially for model portfolios where props and background elements would detract from the subject's pre-eminence in the shot. For creative purposes or simply for variety it may be necessary to assemble an image in which the subject is a part of a design or integral to a purposefully constructed milieu. The advantage of having shot against a plain backdrop is clear when it comes to the necessity of masking the subject in preparation for the new design.
The above image is composed of a stock image background of rounded rectangles on orange, and a foreground composed of a photograph of a rocky beach in low light. The camp fire was dropped in and easily masked from its predominantly black night-time environment. The light sources are implied from above and in front with ambient orange back light and similar glow from the fire. The lingerie of the model has been coloured to match the backdrop and the warmth of the ambient light pervades the whole image where levels permit the perception of colour. A hint of smoke was added for verisimilitude. This addition lowers the contrast a little but adds to the believability of the composition by rendering a less polished image.