Composition Rules in Depth: Find Foreground Interest
- Gary Holpin
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Those of you who followed my series of blogs on 'The ten ingredients of great landscape photos' will know that composition comes very high up the list! Those of you who have attended any of my training courses will also know that I always teach composition as the first topic. Why? Because learning the art of composition is the most important skill for any developing photographer; in fact, simply by mastering composition, you can hugely improve your photos with any camera. It's for this reason that, in this series of blogs, we're looking in depth at the art of composition.
The ingredients of great landscape photos
Other than finding a great subject to photograph, composition is the next most important factor in any great landscape photo.
What are composition rules?
I firmly believe that understanding and improving your composition is the quickest and easiest way to improve your photos, whatever camera you use. This is why it’s the topic that I always cover first in all of my training courses, both for mobile phone users and DSLR camera users
Why do snaps so rarely do justice to a beautiful view?
I'm sure we've all stood looking at a beautiful view, pointed our camera at it and snapped the shutter, only to get home and realised that whilst the view was beautiful, the photo is just plain dull! The reason for this is that we are used to seeing with our amazing binocular vision which sees the world in in three dimensions. As soon as we lose that third dimension in creating a two- dimensional photo, this view can immediately lose its essence. Put simply, a two-dimensional representation of a beautiful view can often be boring!
So, how do we make photos of beautiful views interesting?
To make a two-dimensional landscape photo more interesting, it's necessary to use one or more tricks, to build interest into the image. In a 'point and shoot’ snap of that beautiful view, there is likely to be little to grab the interest of the viewer, and they are more than likely to glance at it and then look away (which equals boring!). Instead, to develop as a photographer, you need to move away from taking a snap and move towards composing an image which grabs the viewers’ attention, pulling them into, and through the photo. This journey forces them to look longer at the photo, and in doing so, makes it more interesting to look at.
One of the easiest ways of improving that photo is to use one or more little tricks, often called ‘composition rules’ to make the image more interesting to look at and help to do better justice to that beautiful view. Although there are loads of composition rules (just Google it and you will find hundreds!), below are a handful of what I believe are the most powerful ones to have in your mental checklist when composing a photo.
Ensure you have a focal point
Construct your frame using the rule of thirds
Utilise lead-in lines to help draw the viewer into the frame
Use layers to help give depth
Find foreground interest especially when shooting wide
Embrace symmetry
Provide a sense of scale
Use the rule of odds
Keep your edges clean
Embrace diagonals
Use negative space
Ensure balance
Over this series of blogs, we'll look in detail at each of these 'rules' to help equip you with a mental checklist for how to compose better landscapes. We start this week with looking at the importance of having a focal point.
Composition Rule Number 5: Find Foreground Interest
As we found in the last blog in this series, creating layers can really help to transform what could be a flat image into an interesting photo that makes you want to explore it. In this blog, we look in more detail at the foreground layer, and the importance of having foreground elements.
Including an engaging element in the foreground transforms a flat, two-dimensional image into one with depth and dimension. It helps to create a visual journey for the viewer, drawing their eye into the scene and establishing a sense of place and scale.
Why Foreground Interest Matters
Foreground elements serve several crucial purposes in landscape composition:
They create depth by establishing distinct visual planes (foreground, middle ground, background)
They provide a sense of scale, particularly useful when photographing vast landscapes
They add context to your image
They create a visual anchor, giving the viewer's eye a natural starting point
When photographing open countryside, moorland or beach scenes, it's all too easy to have an empty foreground; devoid of interest, boring foregrounds can often lead to boring images, but can be transformed by identifying the right elements for foreground interest.
Finding Effective Foreground Elements
When trying to find foreground interest elements which could work, try looking for:
Textural elements: Weathered rocks, pebbles, sand patterns or tall grasses
Leading lines: Streams, paths, fallen trees or rock formations that guide the eye into the frame
Structural elements: Stone walls, wooden posts or natural frames
Seasonal features: Wildflowers, autumn leaves or frost patterns
Technical Considerations
When incorporating foreground interest, you'll need to consider:
Composition: Remember your other composition rules, especially the rule of thirds, when placing foreground elements
Depth of field: Often you'll want both foreground and background sharp, requiring a small aperture (typically f/11-f/16) and careful focusing. If your foreground element is too close to the camera, this might not be possible; if so, move back slightly until all key elements are in acceptable focus
Focus point: For maximum sharpness, try focusing about a third of the way into the scene (not the foreground object) since this will maximise your depth of field for any particular aperture
Stability: With smaller apertures to give good depth of field, you might need a tripod if the light is poor, in order to ensure camera motion doesn't ruin your images
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Try to avoid these pitfalls:
Distracting rather than enhancing foregrounds (not everything interesting makes a good foreground)
Placing foreground elements too centrally, creating compositional imbalance
Insufficient depth of field, resulting in either blurry foreground or background
Busy foreground elements that compete with rather than complement the main subject.
Remember that while these composition guidelines are valuable, they're not rigid rules. The most important thing is creating images that resonate with you and effectively communicate your experience of the landscape.
Want professional help improving your photography skills?
Don't forget that if you want some direct help with your photography, I offer a range of 1-2-1 photography courses for Devon based folks. If you're not nearby then I also offer residential workshops for beginner photographers or improving photographers.
About Gary Holpin Photography
As a professional photographer based in Devon, my journey began along the stunning South West Coast Path. Disappointed with my initial attempts to capture its beauty, I embarked on a second 630-mile journey, this time dedicated to mastering photography. Today, I'm a nationally acclaimed photographer with award-winning landscape photos.
I specialize in providing top-notch property photography, business photography, and drone photography services to businesses across the South West. Additionally, I offer comprehensive photography training courses tailored for both businesses and individuals. Whether you're looking to enhance your corporate image or improve your personal photography skills, my training programs are designed to help you capture stunning images.
As an award-winning and widely published photographer, I frequently share my passion for photography and Devon through engaging talks at local camera clubs and community groups. My expertise spans the entire South West region, ensuring that clients from Devon, Dorset & Somerset benefit from high-quality photography services and training.
