One of the quickest ways to elevate your landscapes and cityscapes is by adding something in the foreground. A mountain or skyline on its own can be beautiful, but without a sense of scale, the photo often falls flat. The eye craves a path into the image, and foreground elements provide that anchor.

Why It Works

Foreground gives the viewer a starting point. When you include a rock, tree, person, or architectural detail near the bottom of your frame, it pulls the eye into the scene and creates a natural flow toward the middle and background layers. This creates the illusion of depth and makes the photograph feel three-dimensional.

How to Do It

1. Look down before you look out. When you arrive at a location, notice what’s at your feet — wildflowers, a puddle, cobblestones, driftwood.

2. Frame your subject through layers. Position the foreground so it leads toward your main subject, whether that’s a mountain peak or city tower.

3. Use a wide-angle lens. Wide lenses exaggerate the size of close objects, making them more prominent and enhancing depth.

4. Get low. Crouch or even lie down so the foreground fills the lower portion of the frame.

Example

Imagine photographing a lighthouse on the Cape. If you just point the camera at the building, it’s a postcard shot. But if you kneel down and include sea grass or weathered rocks in the foreground, suddenly the scene feels immersive — like the viewer is standing right there with you.

Takeaway: Foreground transforms a flat photo into a layered story. Always look for an anchor in the front of your frame.