Sentence:  Long observation has taught Mason that most <WSD>landscape</WSD> can be reduced to three essential planes : a foreground in sharp focus - either a light area with dark accents or a dark one with lights ; a middle distance often containing the major motif ; and a background , usually a silhouetted form foiled against the sky . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view