How To Give Depth To Your Photography

Capturing an image that has power and a certain dynamic feel can be difficult. You know a photo like that when you see it and you know it’s not always easy to take one. That’s because photography is two-dimensional, unlike our eyes which see everything in 3D. That’s one of the explanations for what happens when your camera “fails” to capture the true beauty of a landscape that you see with your eyes.

But there are some ways to give your photos a more three-dimensional feel and dynamic. Here they are.

Framing

Framing is essential no matter what kind of photo you want to take. To add depth by using composition, try the frame within the frame technique. What you want to do is use elements from the foreground to create a frame for the photograph. It’s one of the techniques that can make the viewer feel like they are inside the photo.

Foreground

You can set the scene, so to speak, by adding foreground. Having something plain in foreground will make a photograph lack depth. Look for interesting elements to include in the foreground, and don’t forget to have a middle ground and background too.

Position

You probably have no idea how much difference you can make by moving a little .When you lift your camera to your eye, don’t just freeze there like a human statue. Move around, get down on your stomach, climb a later. The point is to always look for a different perspective, because often you will find one that will add significant depth to your photo.

Light

Light is the mother of all things that come together to make a good image. The kind of light you want for depth is the one that gives the feeling of volume and three dimensions. Under no circumstances will you achieve depth by using direct flash on a subject or photographing when the sun is most powerful. Afternoon sun casts are good, as well as sunsets, but you can also benefit from “helping” the light with an additional, well placed strobe.

DoF (Depth of Field)

A shallow depth of field can be obtained with a wide aperture or a long lens. No matter how you produce it, it will give your photo a sense of volume, by separating the subject from the background. If don’t isolate your subject, chances are the image will look flat and unappealing.

Shadows

Shadows can bring a lot of good stuff, especially when you are photographing people. They tend to add drama and make a flat subject actually look interesting.

Combining these elements and knowing what to use and when how you will add depth and power to your photographs is. Remember to use them as tools for achieving a certain goal, not as goals themselves. After your first successful images you will start to get the hang of it and fully understand how much depth can help your portfolio.

Also Read: 41 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN’T DATE A PHOTOGRAPHER

Recommended Reading: