Foreground Interest
It is the age old question that many photographers wrestle with . . . how do I create a more original image? One of the best techniques that you can use is to put something in the foreground of the image. The foreground subject should be something that compliments the subject in the background. Or the foreground subject might be the subject that is complemented by the background. When it comes to lens choice, wide angle lenses make it much easier to get the foreground and background in focus. Often when I find a subject, I look around to see what I can put in the foreground. Try it out. Go out with your camera and pick a subject. Then look around and find something that you can put in the foreground. This technique is great for well known subjects like famous landmarks.
How does one capture an original image of one of the best known and most photographed buildings in the world? I found something to put in the foreground that would compliment the Taj Mahal in the background. I love how the image captures two icons of India – cricket and the Taj Mahal. I also love the fact that the cricket bat in the air mirrors the spires of the Taj Mahal.
Instead of capturing the Shwedagon Paya in Yangon, Myanmar as a snapshot on its own, I decided to find some foreground interest. The monk taking a picture in the foreground provided me with a great opportunity. I noticed another monk walking into the frame in the background and quickly captured an image . I also captured a second image without the second monk when he was obscured by the monk with the camera but I ended up liking this image best.
Everyone captures an image of the beautiful scene of the beach with clear waters. However, when I added the element of the colourfully painted tour boat in the foreground, I added another layer of interest to the photo and made it more dynamic.
I used a worm’s eye view in the second image to accentuate the foreground flowers. This also helped me to make the background less cluttered where the viewer can’t see the other people and the taxi that were distractions in the first image.
