The art of “seeing” a good composition is critical. While this may sound elementary, I want to take the concept to the next level. I offer to you the following commonly heard warning expressions with food for thought: 

“Look Out” - it implies you need to be careful. From a photographic standpoint, it’s what most photographers do when they look for a composition - with their heads up, they look straight out to see if they can find a picture.

“Heads Up” - this also implies you should be careful. From a photographic standpoint, it opens up the potential to create new photos as a great composition may exist above your eye level. 

“Watch Your Step” - this implies you should be aware of your actions so they don’t cause harm. From a photographic standpoint, it’s what I want every photographer to do to realize there’s a plethora of images that exist at ground level.               

Watch Your Step is the focus of this article - realize the photographic potential that exists at your feet. I want to erase the negative connotation of the ground. If you drop something on the ground, you’ve been taught to leave it there because the ground is dirty. Photography provides you the opportunity to dispute the fact the ground is bad. It’s not the grand landscape nor the sweeping vista that you’ll capture. It’s the intimate scene or the small section of the whole that grabs your attention. The more you train yourself to watch your step, the more easily you’ll spot great images that lie at your feet.

© Russ Burden

One of the beauties of photographing groundscapes is the time at which great ones can be made aren’t restricted to the times of day when grand landscapes should be photographed - sunrise and sunset. Some of my best groundscape images were made in the middle of the day in bright sun, in the open shade, or on an overcast afternoon. I find that shade opens a bigger window of time at which a good one can be created because of the soft light. But there are subjects that work well if you exploit the deep shadows and harsh contrast of mid day sun. Soft and delicate subjects tend to work better in the shade while those that evoke a sense of hardness work well in harsher light.

© Russ Burden

To find a great groundscape, you need to slow down your pace and stop every once in awhile to look back. A good one may go unnoticed if you don’t occasionally turn around. Learn to look to your left and right as you slowly amble along the path, sidewalk, trail or wherever else your travels take you. First look at the entire area at your feet and then stop and use your “telephoto eyes” to zoom into sections of your surroundings. Walk a little farther and do the same as you look left, right, and behind you. If you work at a hurried pace, chances are you’ll miss some shots. The next time you hear, “You’re grounded,” think of it as a positive thing as it may encourage to look to your feet to make excellent pictures.

© Russ Burden

To learn more about this topic, join me on one of my Photographic Nature Tours. Visit russburdenphotography.com and click on the NATURE TOURS button for more information. Also, pick up a copy of my book, Amphoto’s Complete Book of Photography. You can purchase a signed copy directly from me or visit your local book store or Amazon. Contact me at rburden@ecentral.com to order your signed copy.