2 Find classic foregrounds Position detail up-front

Discover the types of foreground that are tried and tested, and how to make the most of the first thing your viewer sees

Finding a great view is often the best starting point for a classic scenic shot, but the view itself isn’t enough to be a solid landscape image. When you come across a pleasing vista, think of it as the background. This is the part of your shot where the viewer’s eye will ultimately rest – but to lead them through to this, you need something up-front to draw them in. And when we say “up-front”, we mean it! If you’re using a wide or ultra-wide lens, you want your foreground to dominate the bottom third of the frame, and that often means getting your lens really close to it. And don’t rule out vertical framing, as it can give you a great foreground and a great sky.