Creating a Sense of Depth in Your Photos

One of the great challenges in photography is to bring a sense of depth to your photos, giving a two-dimensional image a real three-dimensional feel. Not only does this produce a more interesting and intriguing photo, it also engages the viewer more, inviting them to explore the scene rather than just observe it. The tips below will help you to inject a sense of depth into your photos.

Include Foreground Interest

Foreground interest creates a sense of depth in your photography

By including foreground interest and shooting in portrait, this shot has a great sense of depth. Image by treehouse1977.

When photographing a subject at medium to far distance it can often appear flat, especially if you have zoomed in to fill the frame with the object.

Include an object of interest in the foreground to enhance the sense of depth. This leads the viewer's eye around the scene, from the foreground to the subject in the distance.

Shoot in Portrait

Think about the way we see the world - if you look straight ahead and move your head from side to side your eyes naturally fall on objects which are about the same distance away. But move your head up and down and you will focus on objects at greatly varying distance - from very near to very far away.

There is more depth to be found vertically than horizontally, and portrait photos naturally capture more of the scene vertically. Next time you instinctively hold your camera in landscape, consider whether you could create a greater sense of depth by shooting in portrait instead.

Change Your Viewpoint

Photo taken close to the ground, giving an enhanced sense of depth

Shoot close to the ground to capture more depth and perspective. Image by rambleon.

Crouch close to the ground rather than shooting at eye level. This exaggerates the perspective as objects get smaller as they move into the distance, creating a greater sense of depth.

Changing viewpoint has the added benefits of providing more foreground interest, and also creating a less familiar, more intriguing composition.

Frame Your Scene

Use foreground objects to create a natural frame around the subject in your photograph. This enhances the sense of depth by guiding the viewer through the scene, allowing them to mentally explore it, rather than simply presenting them with a shot of the subject which requires them to do no 'work'.

Use a Wider Angle

Wide angle shot of a cow

This shot was taken with a wide angle to exggerate the sense of depth. Image by tricky.

Photographing with a wider angle (or zooming out) naturally exaggerates the perspective in a scene, achieving a greater sense of depth.

Moving closer to the subject and zooming out has the same effect when shooting with a zoom lens.

Use Leading Lines

Diagonal or winding lines which move from the foreground into the scene create a feeling of motion, drawing the viewer's eye along them.

Leading lines are everywhere, from curving shore lines to fallen trees to city streets, so get into the habit of constantly being on the look out for them.

Incorporating one or more leading lines into your photo is a sure way to enhance its sense of depth.

Layering

Overlapping layers in a mountain scene

Despite the layers having very little texture, the variation in colour brings depth to this scene. Image by Earthwatcher.

By overlapping objects you help the viewer to reconstruct the three-dimensional scene in ther mind. This allows them to mentally be 'in' the scene, rather than just seeing a photo of it, creating a much stronger sense of depth.

Layering is particularly effective when there is a notable contrast in the shade or texture of two overlapping objects. This contrast helps to separate the objects from one another.