We’ve discussed using Lines as Compositional Design Elements to add depth to a photograph. Another way to add depth is by including textures in your photographic composition. In addition to creating depth, textures will add detail and a tactile sense to an image.
It’s best to photograph texture with a side light. That will really bring out the details by causing highlights and shadows in all the right places. If you’re shooting in a studio, it’s just a matter of arranging your lights. When shooting outdoors, the best time of day to shoot is early in the day or late in the afternoon.
If you’re having trouble visualizing this, then try this little experiment in your home. Get a flashlight and pick a room that you can darken by closing blinds. If that room doesn’t have any carpeting or a rug, then get a towel from your bathroom. Go inside the room, lay the towel on the floor, turn on the flash light and close the blinds. Now, stand next to the rug/carpet/towel and shine the light straight down at it, as though it were the sun at noon. Take a look a good look at the rug.
Next, squat down next to the rug. Lay the flashlight on its side, on top of the rug, so that the beam of light is skimming across the top surface of the rug. The surface will appear much different with the side light. Note all the textures and details that you can now see.
These are my experiment results:
Carpet lit from the top.
Same carpet - lit from the side.
The only difference in the two pictures is the direction of the light.
This carpet has a lot of texture. You can see some of that in each of the photos. But, in the picture lit from the side, that texture really pops and the photograph became a lot more interesting.
Try the light experiment on all different surfaces. You’ll notice that items you thought were flat, in actuality have a lot of neat surface texture.
Additional Photos:
This photo would be boring without the texture on Liberty Cap.
Repetition also creates texture.
The texture of this sandstone canyon really makes this photograph interesting.
The prickly edges of this plant create a neat texture.
Valerie earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Applied Photography from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2000. In 2005, she founded Valerie Hayken Photography & Design. Visit
This reminds me of when I used to paint models. I would dry brush them with lighter shades to bring out the texture. I’ll remember your tips for the future. I’m thinking side lighting could make my dogs fur look great
Interesting, I never think of texture, but the difference in your carpet photos are really noticable. Great idea giving an experiment to test this out. Thanks for the ideas!!