• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

DIGITAL PHOTO MENTOR

Photography tips, tutorials and guides for Beginner and Intermediate Photographers.

  • Start Here
  • Photography Basics
    • Beginner Photography Tutorials
    • Free Photography Basics for Beginners Course
  • Photography Articles
    • Beginner Photography Tutorials
    • Photography Challenges
    • Photography Tips
      • Portrait Photography
        • Flash Photography
      • Night Photography
      • Street Photography
      • Photo Editing
      • Landscape Photography
      • Macro Photography
      • Photoshop Tutorials
      • Photography Equipment
  • Online Courses
    • Luminar Neo Course
    • Lightroom for Photographers: The Complete Course
    • Photoshop For Photographers: The Complete Course
    • Portrait Fundamentals
  • Private Tutoring
  • Store
    • Online Courses
    • Bokeh Overlays
    • Sky Replacements
    • Texture Backgrounds
    • Lightroom Presets
    • Private Tutoring
    • Cart
  • Login
  • Photography Basics
    • Beginner Photography Tutorials
    • Free Photography Basics for Beginners Course
  • Photography Challenges
    • Photography Challenges E-Book
    • 5-Day Photo Editing Challenge
    • All Our Photography Challenges
  • Photography Tips
    • Portrait Photography
      • Free Portrait Photography Key Concepts Course
      • Flash Photography
    • Night Photography
    • Street Photography
    • Travel Photography
    • Landscape Photography
    • Macro Photography
    • Photography Equipment
  • Photo Editing
    • Luminar
    • Learn How to Use Lightroom Classic – Online Course
    • Photoshop Tutorials
  • Gallery
  • Resources
    • Free Basics for Beginners Course
    • Free Portrait Photography for Beginners Course
    • Lightroom Presets
    • Texture Pack for Photoshop, Luminar
    • Webinars
    • YouTube Channel
Home » Intermediate Photography » 4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images

4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: September 26, 2022

Share72
Tweet3
Pin107
WhatsApp
Email

One of the challenges with photography is that is a two-dimensional medium, with which we try to capture a three-dimensional world. Creating depth and a sense of dimension it will help captivate viewers and draw them into your images more. In this article, I’ll give you four tips for creating depth in your photos.

Use the right camera angle

The first thing you can do to add depth in your images is plant your feet in the right place, and point your camera in the right direction.

What I mean by that is when you shoot straight on to something flat, your image will also look flat. Have a look at this example. The image below was shot from one side of a river bank, looking over to the other side at sunrise. Notice how the river draws a straight line right through the image, and there isn’t really anything to grab the viewer’s attention and draw them into the scene.

4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
A pretty sunrise or sunset isn’t enough to make a powerful and strong photograph. This one lacks depth due to the camera angle used.

In this next image, all I did was rotate a bit to the left so I wasn’t shooting straight across the river.

This is marginally better than the first shot.

Now let’s take a look at what happens to the same scene when I just moved my feet a little. I physically walked to a new spot a few feet away and turned to face up the river a bit instead of looking straight across it.

4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
Way better! See how the river draws your eye into the scene more in this image?

Okay, that’s better, but I wanted to take it one more step, so I added in the hillside on which I was standing. See the image below.

4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
Better, but see how the river leads your eyes out of the picture here instead of into it?

But I felt that the river was working against me in the composition above, so I flipped the final image (mirror image horizontally). Now the river enters the image on the left and meanders into the scene. Our eyes naturally read left to right, top to bottom, so try and make your compositions flow in that direction as well. It will feel more comfortable to the viewer, and keep them in the image.

The river leads you into the scene, the detail on the hillside keeps you interested.
4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
See the dramatic difference between the first image to the last one in terms of depth?

That leads me to the second point which is the next thing you can take for creating depth in your images.

Layer your images

I’ve already sort of hinted at the next thing you can do in regards to creating depth in your images, that is by adding layers. That means having things in the scene that are different distances away from the camera. Essentially you want a foreground element (something close), a middle ground, and a background (something far away).

Our eyes perceive depth so we don’t run into things and can see both near and far objects at the same time. It’s your job to photograph a scene to add the right elements to layer your image in this way as well. The simplest way to do that is to find a subject you want to photograph then back up and add something in the foreground. Let’s see some examples.

In the image above I’ve added in the edge of the riverbank in front of me, as well as seeing the whole valley. But it’s not really working all that well, can you see why? There are three separate elements in the image – the sky, the grass in the foreground, and the valley. But they don’t seem connected at all and the edge of the hill and the horizon are both straight lines – very static.

4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
This is much more successful.

Now I’ve focused in on a bush in the foreground and the valley behind has become more of a background supporting it. This is much more successful as showing depth.

What to put in the foreground

But what if you can’t find an interesting foreground element? Why not add a human element?!

4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
I put my own feet in my photos quite often. It adds a human element and foreground. This was shot with a super wide lens, 8mm Rokinon on my Fuji X-T1.
4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
Participants at one of my workshops become subjects. The use of a longer lens here (135mm on full frame) brings them in close and blurs the background nicely which adds separation and depth.
4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
Here is the example which is opposite of the one above. This was shot with a 24mm lens at f/14 to get greater depth of field and keep her and the background in sharp focus.
4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
Here’s the hillside again with another section of it even closer that’s out of focus in the bottom of the image. How many layers can you see here? What is the difference in distance between the closest thing to the camera and the farthest? A lot! That’s what creates a sense of depth here.

Where to focus?

In the examples above the main subject is in focus and either the foreground or background is blurry. But you can even switch it up and still create depth.

4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
Focused on the little bush in the foreground, the valley becomes the background.
4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
With the focal point in the middle ground, the valley becomes the subject and the bush falls away as a foreground element blur (but it is still there to add depth).

Which of the two images below do you prefer? Focused forward on the tall grasses, or further away on the river? Neither is right or wrong it’s about exploring the scene and your intention. Remember, your first shot is usually not going to be your best. Read: Photography is a Journey – Don’t Expect Perfection on the First Shot.

4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
Focused on the valley.
4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
Focused close.
4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
Another variation of the same sunrise from point #1 above.

Use light to add depth

The next thing to consider when you want to add depth to your image is the lighting. Look at the light on the subject. Does it add a feeling of three-dimensionality or is it flat and lifeless? In photography, light is everything so making sure your light complements the scene and adds to the mood and feeling you want is key to successful images.

Backlighting to highlight the subject

Backlighting is one way to highlight your subject and make it (or them) stand out from the background, and add depth to the image. Have a look at these examples:

4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
Here strong light from a window outlines my model in an old mine and makes his stand out. This is the same technique used in the studio by portrait photographers.
4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
Same technique here as she is backlit by the sun which outlines her nicely and separates her from the background, adding layers.
4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
These happy parade girls are backlit and outlined against the background.
4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
The shadow of the bike ads another element of depth.
4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
I purposely waited until this little guy was against the dark door as a backdrop so he’d stand out in the light.
4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
The sun coming through the little yellow leaf makes it stand out.

Side light to show dimension and shape

Light that is coming from the side will allow you to capture the shape, texture, and dimension of your subject.

In the image of the building below, if both sides were lit evenly you would not be able to perceive the corner and thus its shape.

In this portrait of a lovely Turkish man, the light from the side adds to the character in his face and shows dimension in the image.

Other ways to use light

There are many ways to use light to your advantage in your images, these are just a few ideas. Fog can produce interesting effects and if you bring all the other elements together it too can add depth to your image. Nighttime car trail lights add leading lines and direct the viewer around your image.

4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
Layers in the fog at Machu Picchu, Peru.

Use framing in your compositions

How you compose or setup your image can also help create a sense of depth in your image. One element of composition that is particularly useful in this area is framing.

By backing up and adding something in the foreground you’re already adding layers (see #2 above). But what if you can take it up yet another notch? By finding something to use a frame around your subject it adds interest and the viewer can’t help but be drawn inside for a closer look.

Here’s a series of images that demonstrate what I mean.

4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
In this first image, there is side lighting which adds some depth but there’s no layers or foreground.
So I backed up, put on a wider lens, and incorporated the fence in the foreground.
4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
Finally, I got down even lower to the ground and shot through the wires of the fence to frame the grain elevator. I think this image is the most powerful of the series.

Here are some other examples where I backed up and framed the subject using what was there – a doorway, tree, pathway.

4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
The light and backlit subject draw your attention and the doorway leads you right to him.
4 Tips for Creating Depth and Dimension in Your Images
I walked away from this temple in Hawaii, past the big tree, and turned around. I knew if I added it as a framing element it would help direct you to the temple. The path adds in a leading line as well.
This is Eastman Kodak House – the home of George Eastman, founder of Kodak. It is now a museum you can visit in Rochester NY (I highly recommend you do so if you’re in the area and learn a bit of photography history). I used the branch of this big tree to frame the house and draw attention there.

Summary

These are just four ways you can add depth and dimension to images, you may be able to think of others. By adding a sense of depth and three-dimensionality, your images will have more life and interest. But remember there also needs to be a balance and putting too much stuff into the frame can make it cluttered. So compose with intention and consider all the elements and how they fit together.

Practice these tips and think about how you can draw viewers into your photos more. Feel free to share your photos and any other ideas you have in the comments below.

Cheers,
Darlene-1-250x130.png

Share72
Tweet3
Pin107
WhatsApp
Email

About Darlene Hildebrandt

Darlene is an educator who teaches aspiring amateurs and hobbyists how to improve their skills through her articles here on Digital Photo Mentor, her beginner photography course, and private tutoring lessons. To help you at whatever level you're at she has two email mini-courses. Sign up for her free beginner OR portrait photography email mini-course. Or get both, no charge!

ultimate photography bundle

There’s NEVER been a better time to get Luminar Neo. With this Ultimate Photography Bundle promotion, you recieve the Luminar Neo software, hundreds of LUT’s, Skies, presets and overlays, a Landscape Photography editing course, a Drone photography course and my very own Portrait Fundamentals course, along with a number of other items.

Click here to Get $1019 worth of photography software and courses for an 85% savings.

Digital Photo Mentor is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate Digital Photo Mentor earns from qualifying purchases.
ultimate photography bundle

Ultimate Photography Bundle

There's NEVER been a better time to get Luminar Neo. With this Ultimate Photography Bundle promotion, you recieve the Luminar Neo software, hundreds of LUT's, Skies, presets and overlays, a Landscape Photography editing course, a Drone photography course and my very own Portrait Fundamentals course, along with a number of other items.

Get $1019 worth of photography software and courses for an 85% savings.

Click Here to Purchase

Top Beginner Articles

  • Avoid these 9 beginner photography mistakes
  • 7 Tips for Beginner Photographers
  • Top 15 Photography Accessories under $25
  • How to choose the best digital camera for you
  • 5 Photography Ideas for When There's Nothing Interesting to Shoot
  • 5 mistakes beginner photographers make while using a wide angle lens and how to avoid them
  • 9 Tripod Mistakes Ruining Your Images and Putting Your Camera at Risk
  • Long Exposure Photography

Top Intermediate Articles

  • 10 Camera Settings and Equipment Tips for Portrait Photography
  • Best Photo Editing Software Reviewed
  • Lightroom Alternative: Is Luminar the answer?
  • Top 15 Photography Accessories under $25
  • How to Use a Gray Card for Custom White Balance and Metering
  • Night Photography Settings – Guide to Getting the Best Exposure

Learn Photography Basics

Yes, you can learn to take better photos! It’s my passion to help you learn the photography basics and take better pictures. It’s also the same reason I teach workshops, do photo travel tours, and have online photography courses available.

Enroll in our free photography basics for beginners course, or 12-part portrait photography course, also free.

Recent Photography Articles

  • Stunning Night Photo Edits With Luminar Neo
  • Six ways to make your travel photography stand out
  • Why Street Photography Is So Difficult And How To Overcome It
  • Review of Sigma’s 56mm F/1.4 Lens – Is It Worth It?
  • How To Create Stunning Old-Style Hollywood Black-and-White Glamour Portraits

Useful Links

  • Beginner Photography
  • Intermediate Photography
  • Photography Challenges
  • Photography Tips
  • Photo Editing
  • Resources
  • Recommended Amazon Products
  • Course Login
  • Workshops
  • Webinars
  • Contact
  • Write for Us

Copyright © 2023 Digital Photo Mentor · Privacy Policy · Cookie Policy · Disclaimer