Here’s a little ‘question’ for you to ask next time you’re out and about with our digital cameras.

Next time you’re taking a landscape or urban landscape shot pause before you hit the shutter and ask yourself:

“What’s in the Foreground of this shot?”

I find that many photographers give backgrounds of shots real attention – but few take the time to consider foregrounds.

If they do consider them it’s usually more about making sure the foreground is empty and that there is nothing obstructing the main focal point.

While empty foregrounds can mean your main subject is unobstructed – it can also leave your image looking quite boring.

Alternatively – a foreground with some sort of secondary interest point can really lead viewers into a shot and help create a more dynamic scene.

The foreground point of interest need not be anything too amazing – it could simply be a rock, tree, pathway or fence post. Alternatively you might want to get down really low and shoot from that position to make the ground itself the interest point.

More tips on using the foreground of your shots to add impact here.

I’d love to see the results of your experimentations with foregrounds over at the foregrounds assignment.

Read more from our Composition Tips Category