The Best Street Photography Composition Hack
Over the past year I’ve really focussed on improving my street photography composition, and one of the best things I’ve learned is how powerful layering can be to make eye-catching compositions. In this post I’ll share an excerpt from my street photography composition ebook and if you’re interested in purchasing it, as a thank you for supporting this blog, you can get 25% off with this code: BLOG25
An Introduction to Layering
Depth and layering are crucial compositional techniques in street photography that transform flat, two-dimensional scenes into dynamic, engaging images. By incorporating multiple elements at different distances from the camera, we can create a sense of depth, making the image more immersive. Layering is about arranging these elements thoughtfully, providing complexity and allowing viewers to explore different parts of the frame. When used well, depth and layering create a visually rich experience, inviting the viewer to discover multiple stories within a single shot.
Creating depth in street photography: Depth in a photograph gives the illusion of three dimensions on a two-dimensional surface. In street photography, depth is achieved by having subjects or objects in the foreground, middle ground, and background. This separation not only makes the image feel more lifelike but also adds visual interest, as it allows the viewer’s eye to travel through the frame and explore different layers.
Depth can be achieved using a variety of techniques, including the use of leading lines, perspective, and focus. For instance, shooting down a long street or alley can create strong depth, while playing with wide apertures can blur the background, emphasising the layered effect between sharp and out-of-focus elements.
The importance of layering: Layering in street photography refers to the careful arrangement of elements across different parts of the frame to create depth and complexity. Well-executed layering provides context and relationships between the subjects, helping to tell a richer story.
In layering, it’s important to avoid visual clutter. Overlapping subjects, chaotic backgrounds, or too many distracting elements can make the image feel crowded and confusing, diluting the impact of the main subject. A well-layered frame should maintain a balance between complexity and clarity.
3 Ways to Use Layering in Your Street Photography
Use the foreground, middle ground, and background: A good layered image often contains elements in each of these planes. For example, you can have a person walking in the foreground, a couple in the middle ground, and buildings or a cityscape in the background. This helps create depth and a sense of distance between subjects.
Avoid too much overlapping: Overlapping subjects can flatten the image and confuse the viewer’s eye. Keep your subjects separated, so that they don’t visually merge into one another. When photographing a busy scene, wait for the right moment when the key subjects are in distinct positions that create a clean separation.
Master the figure-ground relationship: The figure-ground relationship refers to the contrast between the subject (figure) and the background (ground). For effective layering, ensure that your subjects stand out against their backgrounds. Avoid backgrounds that are too busy or have similar tones to the subject, as this can cause the subject to get lost in the frame.
To find out more check out the Ultimate Street Photography Guide to Composition (25% off use code: BLOG25)
