Framing the Foreground

Framing the Foreground | ©2013 Tom Palladio Images

In golf, an errant tee shot is usually and immediately followed by a loud, desperate cry of FORE! by the golfer holding the menacing jumbo driver while the rest of his/her foursome giggles in the background.

As photographers, regardless of our experience level, we, too, should be yelling FORE! — as in foregroundquietly in our creative heads. 

If you want to be happy and successful for the rest of your shooting life, shake up your len’s Point of View (POV) with an unusual foreground framing approach.

Framing the Foreground | ©2013 Tom Palladio Images
As a budding photographer, I’m always looking for something to frame prominently in the foreground to draw the attention of the viewer’s eyes and lead him/her to the blurred background.

Whether it’s flowers framing an iconic building or bridge, a faucet leading to an isolated mountain hamlet, a wooden pylon framing a Venetian gondola, or a forkful of food fronting a signature dish, I covet POV as my framing impetus.

Framing the Foreground | ©2013 Tom Palladio Images
The POV, or strong foreground element, not only draws the viewer in, but gives the frames you shoot added depth and perspective.

You may not grasp it right off the bat, but if you begin in earnest to shoot à la POV, it’ll enhance the way you approach photography and elevate your game behind the lens.

The next time you tee it up, give the POV technique a go. The rest of your foursome won’t be giggling anymore.

NICE SHOT!

©The Palladian Traveler

Borsalino w/ props SMALL | ©Tom Palladio Images

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20 comments

  1. loved the visit and your colorful POV

    I’m inviting you to join us for Travel Photo Mondays, the link runs all week so I hope you can join us for the next installment?

  2. I came across your photos on the Daily post after submitting mine! Love all of these photos, but the beach one is my favorite! The colors are amazing! I have also been working on the use of foregrounds in my photos recently. It really can put a whole new perspective on a photo. Great work!

  3. Nice post, and I can only agree. You caught some lovely shots, and are creating a style of your own.
    I always love to look at others photos to see how I might have shot it differently……with your Venice shot I would have focused on the background leaving the foreground frame slightly blurred 🙂 I love the shot of the water tap high above the arid valley….is that in Spain?

    1. Thanks very much for viewing this set. The faucet fountain shot was taken at a national park that surrounds Castelluccio di Norcia in central Italy. About the gondola scene on the Grand Canal, you can see the version you would’ve shot here: http: //thepalladiantraveler.com/2013/08/11/weekly-photo-challenge-one-shot-two-ways/#jp-carousel-18745

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