It happens all the time. It has happened to me on more occasions than I would like to admit. Your eye embraces a great scene. You know that this photo will propel you into the world of the greats. Watch out Ansel Adams, be prepared to beaten. As you retrieve the finished image from the printer or you see it on the computer screen, you scream “What happened to my masterpiece!”
It may not be your fault but, a disconnect between how you as a human perceive the outer world as opposed to the was the camera records the world.
Let’s look at the camera sees its surroundings. The camera, regardless of how sophisticated, has certain limitations. Most importantly, it has only one eye. Why should that matter to the photographer? Because the camera cannot distinguish between objects near and those that are at a distance. If flattens the scene. With two eyes we perceive the depth of field. The mountain in the distance is farther away and the trees closer. It keeps us from walking into things.
But what be done, you ask? There are things that you as a photographer can do to overcome this obstacle.
First thing that you will want to do, now that you know that the camera has only one eye, is to mimic the camera. When you find a scene that want to capture, close one eye and look at the scene again. It looks different doesn’t it?
Second thing is look around and see if there is anything that would add depth to the shot. By this I mean find something in the area that will frame the main subject. Something like a tree branch, arches through a wall or an outcropping of rocks. Something in the foreground or the edges of the viewfinder frame that is closer than the main subject of the image. The human eye will add depth to the photo when there is an object in the foreground.
Another weather related trick to adding depth is mist or fog. Objects further away seem to fade and further objects almost disappear. This creates a sense of depth for the viewer.
Look for lines that extend in the scene. A road will narrower as it stretches into the distance. This adds depth as well.
Experiment with these photography tips and just get out there and shot. And by all means have fun.