Layering images gives a sense of depth. Placing subjects on multiple planes of focus facilitates the viewer’s eye to move around the frame. The hardest part of composing layered images is keeping the elements separated. When subjects overlap or blend together, the image can seem cluttered and the sense of depth can be lost. Compose the scene from infinity to the foreground. Get your elements in line and press the shutter when the action layer is comes together.
World Photos by Benjamin Brayfield
This image is an “almost”, meaning the separation on the right side—the head framed in the arm—isn’t quite there. I also wanted to get the rake fully in the foreground. I composed this scene and hit the shutter every time I noticed that the layering/framing came into place. The head framed by the arm in the background is what I was aiming for.
The main tool I used to get good separation for this image was standing on a rock to become taller than the subjects. Shifting perspective created a clean background for the heads of the people in the foreground. I made several pictures until the people in the background climbing over the rocks created a ‘U’ shape around the folks in the foreground, examining a tide pool creature.
