Take a number of shots using lines to create a sense of depth. Shooting with a wide – angle lens (zooming out) strengthens a diagonal line by giving it more length within the frame. The effect is dramatically accentuated if you choose a viewpoint close to the line.
With this photograph there is a sense of depth not just to the end of the path to the right but this photo also makes you look into the distance at the footpath further on in the distance.
This photo also has a sense of depth although a slightly more distracting image with more going on with the sea and car park. My eyes especially get drawn towards the person on the path in the distance.
Not sure if this photo really works, there isn’t necessarily a viewpoint but it does show some depth. I guess the pole in the distance could potentially captured some peoples eye. For this image I got slightly lower in my position to show the incline of the hill.
Now take a number of shots using lines to flatten the pictorial space. To avoid the effects of perspective, the sensor/film plane should be parallel to the subject and you may like to try a high viewpoint (i.e. looking down). Modern architecture offers strong lines and dynamic diagonals, and zooming in can help to create simpler, more abstract compositions.
All these photos I have taken are abstract and show no depth – the lines do not lead the eye to travel and give off a rather flat appeal. These three photos are very different from the first three which were allowing the lines to travel throughout the frame and they allowed a person to look into the distance which for me allows me to imagine more. For example, my first three photos I could picture myself there which, makes them more personal.
Heather Wade OCA Blog 