The next area of composition we’ll be reviewing is foreground. Though traditionally associated with landscape photography, I regard it as a versatile tool that can and should be utilized by all exceptional photographers.
Foreground refers to the area closest to the camera in a frame. Within any given shot, this is the area normally located by your feet or in the not so far distance when you look through your viewfinder.
Those that normally shoot ‘scape’ genres of photography have traditionally been more interested in exploring and devoting the different techniques of foreground composition in their photography.
You’ve probably seen a photographer walking around with a tripod and constantly adjusting the tripod location in order to correctly find the right shot. They will be moving the tripod to find the best foreground they can enclose within their frame.
We can then conclude that foreground is all about positioning!
What is the purpose of foreground?
Foreground offers a great way to introduce leading lines.
Framing your photograph around lines that appear in your foreground is a great way to cast viewers’ eyes onto your subject in the distance. A foreground is a great opportunity to attract the eyes toward the proper places. Leading lines is just one example of how you can do this.
When shooting scape scenes, such as a cityscape, start by looking at the floor around you.
Follow lines that are near your feet and see where they end up. Do they lead toward interesting subjects or spaces that would make an interesting shot? Or perhaps you’ve spotted a line slightly in front of you that leads toward a subject you had your eyes on initially.
Moving to position yourself within a range that will allow you to capture the lines (foreground) and heighten attention toward your subject is a great way to deploy and utilize foreground within your photography.
Framing your subject
Foreground is also another great way to manipulate your composition so all the attention is heightened toward your subject.
If you can’t see any leading lines, nor want to include any, then perhaps you can use your foreground to heighten the drama around your subject?
You can do this by manipulating your foreground in a number of ways. First of all, you obviously need to identify your subject. Once you have found a subject that you want to snap we can start directing the different approaches you might take to develop and include foreground in your shot.
In your mind, you always need to consciously be thinking about positioning (whether you’re using a tripod or not). So consider both your position as well as the camera’s position. If you’re using lenses, imagine how the lens will also factor into the shot.
Don’t rush this part of the photograph since it will inform how you are able to manipulate your foreground once you start taking photographs.
The first thing to think about once you have found your subject is to set up your camera position and decide to shoot a photograph in the immediate space in front of the camera.
Instead of honing in on your subject best to focus out, zoom out, or move backwards to encompass the immediate space around you into the frame.
Notice now perhaps you will see added textures, layers or interesting surfaces that are included in the shot. Typical interesting surfaces could include rocks, mud, light rays, ice, water, or even mundane everyday surfaces such as cement, block paving, grass, trees or wood.
These areas, when included in your shot, can add layers of texture to your photos. Juxtaposed against the backdrop of a great subject, these different surfaces can make your subject pop in the frame. They add layers into your shot. They also give the viewer a better understanding of the surroundings. These can offer an easier entry point into the photograph. They also take the weight and pressure off of the subject of interest and add other layers of visual weight to the image so your photograph is not relying on one simple subject to captivate your audience alone.
Alternatively, you may spot shadows when you move your camera back and reposition your frame. This is another great advantage when playing around with foreground. In black and white images, shadows can make for a great backdrop.
Again, shadows help develop and add to the overall image. They add texture and layers that evoke different feelings. Shadows can make the most all-encompassing image look a bit more human.
As a photographer, you’ll understand and acknowledge the importance of playing around with and manipulating light. Using shadows is a great way to add foreground, depth of field, and thus make your shots a bit more interesting.
What will you achieve?
Using foreground takes time to learn. It’s another form of composition that requires practise.
The goal really is to take the visual weight away from your subject and allow your photograph to breathe. You’re ideally looking for other stimulus outside of the subject’s frame to add layers, texture, weight, definition, and a sense of depth to your image.
There is nothing worse than a flat plain 2D image. The difference between a good landscape shot and a great landscape shot is often found within the use of the foreground. Manipulate it enough and you’ll get interesting photographs that both capture the world’s beauty but also show off the photographer’s skills. After all, we don’t just want to replicate the world in which we inhabit.
An interesting way to think about foreground in photography that helped me when I was learning the ropes was to think of foreground as a means by which to create an entryway into the image. When trying to incorporate foreground into an image, you often need to physically take a step back with your camera.
Look for spaces that look like, or feel like they could create a stepping stone for your viewer into your photograph. This could be anything that you choose. As previously noted, textures and layers work best (in my opinion).
What you’ll then start to notice is that rather than your images looking like they’ve been plonked in front of a subject, they’ll now feel placed. By this we mean they will have an entry point. It’s all about creating a visual language that will let your images speak for themselves, rather than a mere subject that dictates the photograph.
Use foreground as a compositional tool to add beauty and aesthetic pleasure into your images. Try to evoke a feeling of movement, space or place – and with it an emotional response to your viewer.
What’s more is that in doing so, you’ll be using that all-important tool – your eyes.
Use your eyes to scope out your surroundings. Objects just outside your original frame will look great in a shot. You just have to be aware and start thinking outside the box in order to readily include the stuff you’re missing into your frames!
Final thoughts
Be brave and bold when using foreground in your shots. You might not get the desired effect that you’re looking for when you first start trying to use the compositional tool. But stick with it, persist inwards and you’ll find the right way of capturing the foreground that’ll make your subject stand out.
Add textures, layers and beauty to your shots by including more of the simple stuff and you’ll see a dramatic improvement to your photography practise!
Images from Pixabay.