when i first began my journey with photography, i was always obsessed and stressed with making sure everything in the frame was in focus at the same time. i thought that is what made me a good photographer. as i continued my journey with photography, i started playing around with depth and found that i began to create better images once i had a focal point paired with some blur. when i create depth in my photos, i find that i connect more with my images and like the result a lot better and am able to tell my story in a way that is more powerful. creating depth is actually really simple and easy, if you know how to do it. check out these 4 easy ways to create depth in your photos.
having photos that contain depth is a game changer. read about the importance of creating depth in photos to see why depth is so powerful.
4 Easy Ways To Create Depth In Your Photos
.jpg "4 Easy Ways To Create Depth In Your Photos | Bethadilly Photography")
this post contains affiliate links. thank you in advance for supporting bethadilly photography.
1. Use A Low Aperture
using a low aperture is a quick and easy way to create depth in your photos. setting your camera to f/2.8 or lower allows you to place your focus point on your subject, while creating blur in your foreground and background. doing this allows your subject to pop, while blurring the surroundings and creating depth. in the photo above of the yarn, i set my sigma 50mm f/1.4 lens to an aperture of f/1.4, placed my focus on the wire rim on the basket and created depth by blurring both the yarn in the foreground and the wooden floor in the background. placing your focal points on different subjects (for example, on the yarn, on the basket, on the floor) allows you to create completely different photos that tell different stories because of depth.
.jpg "4 Easy Ways To Create Depth In Your Photos | Bethadilly Photography")
2. Photograph From A Low Angle
one of the easiest, and my favorite, ways to quickly create depth in your photos is by photographing from a low angle. when you photograph from a low angle, you can place your focal point on a subject that is further into the frame and blur your foreground. this will encourage your viewer to come into your photos as they are drawn into your frame and rest their eye on your focal point. this is also a wonderful way to create leading lines, if you have lines available. you can either set your camera on the floor, or lay on your belly while photographing to achieve this.
.jpg "4 Easy Ways To Create Depth In Your Photos | Bethadilly Photography")
the photo above of the tree was taken with my lensbaby composer pro sweet 35.
3. Lens Choice
you can use just about any lens to create depth, but having a lens with a low aperture capability is one of the easiest ways to create depth in your photos. by using a lens with a low aperture, you can set your f stop to f/2.8 or lower to easily create more blur in your images, as you create a crisp focal point. my favorite lenses for creating depth are my sigma art 24mm f/1.4 lens, sigma 50mm f/1.4 lens, and my lensbaby composer pro sweet 35 lens. again, it is important to note that you can create depth with higher apertures as well, as you get creative with your composition.
.jpg "4 Easy Ways To Create Depth In Your Photos | Bethadilly Photography")
4. Shoot Through Things
i love using this method to create depth, it’s so easy if you know what to look for! shooting through things helps create depth in your photos by framing your subject in a unique way. for the photos above, i chose to photograph my daughter through the slats of her crib. for the photo on the right, i wanted to create depth so i took a step back and photographed through the crib slats, while keeping the crib within the frame.
look for anything that will naturally frame your subject like doorways and windows. any hallow opening, whether it be the handle on a coffee mug or wheels on a bike offer you the opportunity to shoot through it as you photograph your subject from the other side of your framed object.
creating depth in your photos is something that will quickly elevate your photography. it is something that will instantly make your photo more interesting and compelling, not to mention three dimensional. because we view our world three dimensionally, creating depth in your photos will help portray the world as we would naturally see it. this helps create realism and makes your photographs come to life more. keep these 4 easy ways to create depth in mind as you pick up your camera.
be sure to join my exclusive email list to receive my latest photography tips and tutorials. it’s free!
need some photography tips + inspiration? check out what posts are trending below!
week 1 of the bethadillly 52 had me inspired to get in the frame with my daughter. when given the word documentary, i tried to think of what we do day after day that i would want to remember in the years ahead. while our day is full of activities, i know that sitting in this nursery chair is something that really defines our time together at this age. my parents bought us this chair as a baby gift before she was born, knowing that i would spend countless hours in it, nursing, reading stories, tickling, and cuddling. boy, were they right. this chair inspired my photo for week 1, documentary.
to join in on the bethadilly 52, where we take one photo a week using the hashtag #thebethadilly52 on instagram, check out the prompt list.
this post contains affiliate links. thank you in advance for supporting bethadilly photography.
The Bethadilly 52 Week 1 – Documentary
.jpg "The Bethadilly 52 Week 1 - Documentary | Bethadilly Photography")
this photo was achieved using : nikon d750, sigma art 24mm f/1.4 lens, tripod and a wireless remote.
my settings were : ISO 400 | f/2.8 | 1/50ss
. . .
to learn more about documentary photography, be sure to read documentary photography : a step-by-step guide.
be sure to join my exclusive email list to receive my latest photography tips and tutorials. it’s free!
need some photography tips + inspiration? check out what posts are trending below!
more often than not, the photos that really pull us into the frame and have is looking a little longer have one important thing: depth. creating depth in photos is a great way to not only showcase your subject, but to create an intriguing image. and it’s so easy to do, if you just know how to compose your photo and know the importance of creating depth in photos. depth is one of those techniques that really took my photography to the next step and made me happier with my work.
need some help with creating depth in photos? check out the 4 easy ways to create depth in photos.
The Importance of Creating Depth in Photos
.jpg "The Importance of Creating Depth in Photos | Bethadilly Photography")
Depth Creates Realism
by creating depth in photos, you are creating realism. when you open your eyes and look around, you see things three dimensionally, not two dimensionally. your focus lies on what you are looking at, while everything in your foreground and background have a soft blur. by creating depth in photos, you are allowing your viewer to experience your subject like they would experience it first hand, three dimensionally. this creates realism.
Depth Pulls Your Audience Into Your Photo
depth is one of the biggest secrets to an eye catching photo. by creating depth in photos, you are encouraging your audience to look a little longer at your photo. since everything isn’t in focus all at once, your viewer will initially be drawn to the focused subject and then their eye will be pulled to the rest of the photograph, as they look around a little longer. depth is one of those compositional secrets to getting your viewer to really explore your photograph.
Depth Offers A Unique Perspective
as you challenge yourself by creating depth in photos, you are bound to offer a unique perspective in your photographs. while photos with everything in focus all at once are appropriate at times, it doesn’t really offer anything unique. depth is a wonderful way to portray your personal style and unique perspective through your photographs, putting your own stamp on your work.
Depth Showcases Your Subject
more often than not, as you are creating depth in photos you are showcasing a subject with your focal point and using depth to minimize the surroundings. by doing this you are telling your viewer exactly where you want them to look, while you tone down anything that surrounds your subject.
once i began creating depth in my images, i noticed that i was instantly more drawn to them. i connected with my photography more and really appreciated my work. creating depth in photos is really easy to do, if you only keep it in mind when you compose your photo.
be sure to join my exclusive email list to receive my latest photography tips and tutorials. it’s free!
need some photography tips + inspiration? check out what posts are trending below!
as photographers we think about our photography every day. we love it and we critique it. we cherish it and we pick it apart. and as we do all of that, we grow our skill. with each and every photo we take, we learn more and more about photography and what it means to us. after seeing several photography friends pick their favorite images of the year, i decided that i wanted to play along as well and choose my top 75 photos of 2016. it was a wonderful exercise that made me grateful as i sipped coffee and took a glimpse at my year, according to photography. i find it important to note that all of my favorite images were taken after the birth of my daughter. and that she is the subject of each and every one. i think that sums of 2016 perfectly.
2016, you were so good to me.
Top 75 Photos of 2016
>>this post contains affiliate links. thank you in advance for supporting bethadilly photography.<<
my inbox and social media are always flooded with questions about my gear, and i feel like 2016 found me really happy with my camera and lenses. i felt like i finally found my dream team when it comes to photography gear and, as a result, became happier with the photographs i was taking.
My Photography Gear
cameras : nikon d750, nikon d610, nikon d600
lenses : sigma art 24mm f/1.4, sigma 50mm f/1.4
other : tripod and wireless remote
because i was encouraged by friends to pick my top 75 photos of 2016, i encourage you to do the same. there is something so refreshing about going through your images and picking out your favorites. not only does it encourage you to relive some of your favorite moments, but it helps you reflect on your year and what it has done for your photography skill. for me, it was amazing to see how much my skill improved over the year and how much i learned by picking up my camera.
be sure to join my exclusive email list to receive my latest photography tips and tutorials. it’s free!
need some photography tips + inspiration? check out what posts are trending below!
.jpg "Top 75 Photos of 2016 | Bethadilly Photography")
when we look back on our journeys with photography, i think all of us can choose a handful of things that really helped us becoming the photographers we are today. being a photographer takes constant learning and shapes us into the photographers we are today. when thinking about some of the best decisions i have made for my photography, having a photographer mentor is one of the best things i have ever done for myself and for my skill. being brave and allowing someone else to look through my work and point out my weaknesses was a game changer for me and helped shape me into the photographer i am today. it also changed the way i photograph and edit my images.
looking to hire a photographer mentor? check out my 4 tips for finding your ideal mentor.
>>this post contains affiliate links. thank you in advance for supporting bethadilly photography.<<
Photographer Mentor : 5 Reasons You Should Have One
.jpg "Photographer Mentor : 5 Reasons You Should Have One | Bethadilly Photography")
having a photographer mentor has helped me so much when it comes to picking up my camera and looking at my images. my photographer mentor, megan cieloha really took the time to dig deep into my images and identify my strengths and where i should focus on improving as i go forward. listening to her comments about my images not only opened my eyes to a lot of techniques i wasn’t thinking about, but it also encourages me every time i pick up my camera. now, when i pick up my camera, i am constantly thinking about what she has told me so i can create successful images.
having a photographer mentor can really open your eyes and look at your photography in a new way. photographer mentors can help you in so many ways, but mainly your photographer mentor can help you do the following 5 things.
1. They Identify Your Strengths
your photographer mentor is someone who will look at your images and help pinpoint what you are doing right. whether it is proper white balance, exposure, crisp focus and much more, your photographer mentor will encourage you by showing you the areas that you are excelling in. knowing what your strengths are can make you an even better photographer because you can continue doing it.
2. They Identify Your Weaknesses
one of the most beneficial things about having a photographer mentor is having them identify your weaknesses. it’s very important to know that, if you truly want to become a better photographer, you need to be brave by setting aside your feelings and be willing to hear the truth. sometimes the truth can be hard to hear. but it can also present you with the greatest opportunity to grow. my mentor taught me how to be more aware of blowing highlights in my images, creating more crisp focus, and being more aware of how i use light.
3. They Help You Set Goals
once you know what your weaknesses are, you can begin setting goals on how you will overcome them. if you are struggling with editing, maybe you should set some goals on how you will become a better editor. this could mean reading some books about editing software, taking a class, or practice editing consistently.
need some help setting photography goals for yourself? read more about how goal setting makes you a better photographer.
4. They Can Help Focus Your Attention
it is amazing how much having a photographer mentor will change the way you pick up your camera. after you know what areas that you need to improve upon, you will think about them every time you go to take a photograph. photographer mentors can really help you focus your attention, as you move towards perfecting a skill.
5. They Can Help Strengthen Your Skill
sometimes your photographer mentor will point out a weakness that you never even knew you had. and to be honest, it is so enlightening! learning new things about your current skill will only help you as you work towards strengthening it. when megan mentioned my strengths and weaknesses when it comes to highlights in my images, i was able to learn more about proper technique with highlights going forward. had she not mentioned it, i would still be making the same mistakes today and, therefore, not become better with my photography.
having a photographer mentor is essential when it comes to strengthening your photography skill. i love learning and i love watching my images improve, and that is all possible because of my photographer mentor. as you consider working with a mentor to help you strengthen your photography skill, be sure to check out my mentoring packages to see if i could be the right mentor for you!
be sure to join my exclusive email list to receive my latest photography tips and tutorials. it’s free!
need some photography tips + inspiration? check out what posts are trending below!
The Importance of Creating Depth in Photos » bethadilly - […] need some help with creating depth in photos? check out the 4 easy ways to create depth in photos. […]
The Bethadilly 52 Week 4 – Depth » bethadilly - […] to learn more about creating depth, be sure to read 4 easy ways to create depth in photos. […]