Capture the Magic

Illusion

Photographers who consistently and effectively reach vast audiences with their imagery are usually great illusionists. That’s not to say they’re inherently dishonest. Rather, they have mastered ways of tricking viewers’ eyes into thinking two-dimensional objects are three-dimensional. By creating a sense of depth using shadow and light, texture, and the correct focal length, they can create pathways for viewers’ eyes to walk into the photograph. That sense of depth is the mark of many successful images.

The trick is recognizing elements in the landscape that make this illusion of depth possible. I spend hours scouting locations searching for an interesting subject. I then visualize how it is going to look as the sun’s angle changes. ...