Take a picture from the inside looking out that consists of a foreground, middle ground and background. The background will be whatever represents “out” in your image, the middle ground should be whatever framing element you are using separating the inside from the “out”, and the foreground should have some element that draws the viewer into the entire scene. Be creative with your subject and your composition. Challenge yourself.

The basics:

The space of a picture is divided into three parts, background, mid ground and foreground. The background is the space farthest away from the viewer. The Middle ground is the space between the background and foreground. Foreground is the space closest to the viewer. You can use these elements to create depth and dimension to your photograph. Anytime you add depth and dimension it adds more interest for the viewer.

In the picture to the right, the image shows the inside of a cave with a path (foreground) leading to a person walking through the framing element (middle ground) and the outside of the cave (background). As you can see, having those three elements creates a dynamic photograph.

In the photograph by Max Harlynking, the foreground is represented by the darkness that leads your eye to the mid ground of the person standing in the framing element and then through to the background outside.

Things to consider

• Background: What kind of “out” are you going to represent? There are many places that can be considered “out”, for example, the obvious – outdoors, but there is also out of a room, out of the refrigerator, out of the oven, out of the car — start with your out when planning.
• Middle Ground: once you’ve figured out your “out” plan your middle ground. What are you going to use to frame the image to make the distinction between inside and out? Will it be a door, a windshield, a shelf? Will there be a person or object located at this layer of the photograph?
• Foreground: Next, what will you use as your foreground element? Will it be a person or an object? If an object, is it representative of what you are trying to say in your image?
• Lighting: After you figured out your three elements, next consider what type of lighting you will use to tell your story. Will all three elements be lit the same? Will there be differences in the in versus the out?

Some inspiration photos can be found on this Pinterest board.

Challenge Summary

• Take a new photo of an image that shows inside looking out including foreground, middle ground and background.
• Post your photo during the week of Sunday, April 24 and Saturday, April 30.
• Please remember to comment on at least FIVE photo submissions this week by answering the question “why?” in your comments. In other words, “why do I like (or not like) this photo?” or “why did this photo catch my eye?” 
• Thank you! HAVE FUN WITH PHOTOGRAPHY!

The friendly community guidelines are pretty simple

• Take a new photo for the current weekly theme, not something from your back catalog or someone else’s image.
• Post your photo each week to our active communities on Facebook or Flickr(or both). Tag the photo:  #2022photochallenge #photochallenge #tempusaura #trevorcarpenterphotochallenge  
• Don’t leave home without your camera. 

Participating in the 2022 Trevor Carpenter Photo Challenge is fun and easy.