P#27: A Striking Monument Valley Photo
Brenda Tharp explains why the foreground of this Monument Valley photo plays such an important part in the picture's composition
What makes this Monument Valley photo so striking? According to Brenda Tharp, it's a good foreground. Here she explains how a strong foreground can draw a viewer into a picture, creating a heavier impact and more expression.
The Importance of a Strong Foreground
Brenda Tharp: This Monument Valley photo is about sand and textures. Some people might recognize one of the mittens in the background. One of the things that's really important in creating more expressive nature photos, even if you're just doing a traditional approach like this is of a landscape, is that you want to get close to something in the foreground and use that as an anchor point and as the entry point for your viewer.
In this case, that piece of driftwood in this Monument Valley photo really draws the viewer into the foreground. The sand in between has some neat lines in it, so it takes you through the middle ground back towards the semi-silhouetted shape of the mitten. (click the image for a larger version)
This landscape technique is how I've been able to create pictures that have more impact and are more expressive. It helps me create pictures that put the viewer there because I've included something strong in the foreground.
In Closing
If you really want to draw a viewer into your picture, put something in the foreground. A good foreground will draw a viewer into the picture, as you can see with this stunning Monument Valley photo.
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