Creating Depth, Dimension and Scale in Your Photos

Are you tired of taking flat and lifeless photos? Do you want your images to pop off the screen or page? If so, you need to learn how to create depth and dimension in your photos. In this blog post, we will discuss some simple techniques to take your photography to the next level.

Atrani, Italy.
This picture has good contrast, and the boats and buildings (which are of a known size) give the picture a sense of scale. Additionally, there is a middle ground where the buildings are and a background where the mountains are.
Canon EOS 5D IV + Canon EF 24-70mm @24mm f/2.8 L III IS/ ISO 160 - f/20 - 1/100 sec

Understanding Depth, Dimension and scale

Before we get into tips and tricks, let's first define depth and dimension. Depth refers to the perceived distance between objects in a photo, making some parts of the image appear closer or farther away from the viewer. Dimension, on the other hand, refers to the visual aspects that give an image a sense of volume or three-dimensionality. Scale provides the viewer with a size reference of your subject.

So, why is it so important?

Well, the answer depends on what you want to convey and communicate through your pictures. For example, let's say you are on a boat trip in the Alps and you're enjoying a fantastic view while sitting in a beautiful cozy boat. You take a picture of the view, but it doesn't feel right or complete. By including the foreground, you can give your pictures a sense of depth.

Here's another example: You see a beautiful landscape, and the most impressive thing is the size of the mountain. You take a picture, but it doesn't look as impressive as you saw it in person. If you add something or someone as a scale reference with a known size, your viewers will have a better sense of the size difference, making the mountain look way more impressive in the photo.

Below are two pictures. The first one shows a person, adding a sense of scale so viewers can understand the size of the trees. This adds more dimension and life to the picture. In the second picture, the tree could be a bonsai, but it's difficult to tell without more context.

Use Leading Lines

One of the easiest ways to add depth to a photo is by using leading lines. Leading lines are lines that draw the viewer's eye into the image. These lines can be anything from a road, a fence, or a river. The key is to make sure that they are leading towards a point of interest in the photo. If you want to learn more about composition, check out my blog where I talk about leading lines in detail.

Below: Why is the first picture better than the second one? The answer is simple: leading lines. The first picture has a leading line in the foreground that draws the viewer's eye towards the subject. On the other hand, the second picture lacks this line, which makes it look flatter and less dynamic.

Incorporate Foreground, Middle Ground, and Background

Middle ground + background
Canon EOS 5D IV + Canon EF 24-70mm @39mm f/2.8 L III IS/ ISO 100 - f/5 - 1/500 sec

Foreground was added to add context and depth
Canon EOS R5 + Canon RF 15-35mm @15mm f/2.8 L IS/ ISO 250 - f/2.8 - 1/1600 sec

Another technique to add depth is by including foreground, middle ground, and background elements in your photos. The foreground is the closest part of the image, the middle ground is in the middle, and the background is the farthest part. By including all three elements, you create a sense of depth in the image.

Sometimes I get asked where the subject should be positioned in a photograph. Should it be in the middle ground? In my experience, this can be tricky because sometimes the subject of a landscape photo is the mountains, which will naturally be in the background. In these cases, you can add a middle ground with a person and details like flowers or leading lines in the foreground. However, photography is not an exact science, so you have to experiment and develop your own criteria. Every single picture is different, and what works for one may not work for another.

Layering

Tuscany taken with the 70-200mm f2.8 (trees are isolated and the background is compressed)
Canon EOS 5DIV + Canon EF 70-200mm @200mm f/2.8L III USM/ ISO 200 - f/9 - 1/320 sec

Layering is another technique that can be used to add depth and dimension to your photos. Instead of just foreground, middle ground, and background, you can add multiple layers to your image. This works particularly well with landscapes that have similar elements, such as mountains or hills. By adding layers, you create a sense of depth and distance in the image, making it more interesting to the viewer.

To use layering, try to find elements in the landscape that are similar, such as a series of hills or mountains. Then, frame your shot so that each layer is visible and distinct. This technique can be particularly effective during golden hour, when the warm, soft light can create interesting textures and shadows on the landscape.

One thing to keep in mind when using layering is to make sure that each layer is distinct and recognizable. If the layers are too similar, the effect may be lost. Additionally, make sure that the layers are balanced and that the overall composition is pleasing to the eye. With a little practice and experimentation, you can use layering to create stunning images with depth and dimension.

Adjust Your Aperture

If your subject is in the middle or foreground, adjusting the aperture can create a greater sense of depth. If you take a closer look at this picture, you'll notice that the background is not in focus.
Canon EOS R + Canon EF 24-70mm @50mm f/2.8 L III IS/ ISO 500 - f/6.3 - 1/125 sec

You can also use your camera settings to create depth in your photos. One way to do this is by adjusting your aperture. A wider aperture (lower f-stop number) will create a shallower depth of field, which means that the subject will be in focus while the background will be blurred. This technique is great for portraits or when you want to isolate a subject.

Add dimension to your photos by using soft light.

Soft lights adds more dimension to the picture
Canon EOS R5 + Canon EF 24-70mm @24mm f/2.8 L III IS/ ISO 200 - f/5 - 1/640 sec

Lighting can also play a significant role in creating depth and dimension in your photos. By playing with light, you can create shadows and highlights that add depth to your images. Try shooting during golden hour (the hour before sunset or after sunrise) to capture the warm, soft light that adds dimension to your photos. Read more about this here.

Using subject to add scale to the image

Can you spot Leonie here? She adds scale to this picture
Canon EOS R5 + Canon RF 15-35mm @15mm f/2.8 L IS/ ISO 320 - f/8 - 1/250 sec

Adding Leonie to the picture provides scale, and the footprints act as a leading line.
Canon EOS R5 + Canon EF 24-70mm @24mm f/2.8 L III IS/ ISO 100 - f/4.5 - 1/1600 sec

Adding a second subject (a person) to your middle ground or background can make your primary subject (beaches, mountains, waves, etc.) appear larger or more realistic. This happens because the viewer now has a reference point to compare sizes.

Adding a subject to your foreground won't necessarily add scale, but it can add depth. If you want the mountain to appear larger, the person must be closer to the mountain (middle ground).

Use a telephoto to highlight your background

The telephoto lens compresses the background, making it appear closer
Canon EOS R + Canon EF 35mm @35mm f/1.4L II/ ISO 100 - f/8 - 1/400 sec

Telephoto lenses are great for compressing the background of your image, which can create a sense of depth and dimension. By using a longer focal length, you can make distant objects appear closer to your subject, which can create a more interesting and dynamic composition.

For example, let's say you're taking a picture of a mountain range. By using a telephoto lens, you can compress the distance between the mountains, making them appear closer together and creating a sense of scale. This can be especially effective when shooting during golden hour, when the warm, soft light can create interesting textures and shadows on the mountains.

Just be aware that telephoto lenses can also make it more difficult to achieve a sharp focus, especially if you're shooting handheld. Make sure to use a tripod or other stabilizing device to keep the camera steady, and consider using a higher aperture to increase your depth of field (Because the longer the focal length, the shallower the depth of field becomes. If you want everything in focus, you have to compensate for it with the aperture.)

Conclusion

By using these simple techniques, you can take your photos from flat to fantastic. Remember to incorporate leading lines, foreground, middle ground, and background, adjust your aperture, and experiment with lighting. With a little practice and experimentation, you'll be creating stunning images with depth and dimension in no time.

Sometimes, you may not have a foreground for your picture, but you can replace this by adding leading lines. It's important to keep in mind that not every picture needs to be a masterpiece, and sometimes a picture plays a small role in a larger set of pictures (read more about Storytelling here), and that's okay. If you can't find a foreground or a second subject, take the picture anyway. These tips and tricks are an easy way to enhance your pictures, but there are several other techniques that can be used.

In the end, the most important thing is to just go out and take pictures! Have a beautiful week and cheers!

Bonus pictures