COMPOSITION IN PHOTOGRAPHY FRAME WITHIN A FRAME COMPOSITION IN PHOTOGRAPHY

Frame Within A Frame Your camera automatically creates a square frame whenever you snap a photo. When you look through the camera viewfinder you can see the square area that is going to be your photo when you snap the photo. Viewfinder

Frame Within A Frame Using an object or existing architecture to create a frame within the rectangular photo frame is a great way to lead your viewers’ eyes into a photo. This can add depth and context to the meaning of the photo, as well as drawing attention to a defined point. Photographing a subject within a doorway such as the one in the photo on the right is an easy way to create such a frame. How does the door design relate to the monk in the middle of the door?

Frame Within A Frame A photo of a scene with a foreground feature makes for a much more interesting build up to the main region of a photo. In some cases, it can even carry equal weight to the rest of the photo. Notice how the photographer uses the log in the foreground to create a frame of the boy fishing in the sunset along the shoreline in the photo on the right.

Frame Within A Frame The technique of framing within a frame is somewhat underused. As a method of drawing attention to a particular point in an image or telling a story with a photo, it can be remarkably effective. The idea is to choose part of your scene to be the subject, then find a shape within the photo (usually in the foreground) that will ‘hold’ it within that frame. The photo on the right shows the simplest way of demonstrating this by using the hallway to frame the student on her way toward the stairs.

Frame Within A Frame The most important thing to do when creating a frame with a frame is to think before you shoot. Have a good look around at what can and can’t be used and decide how you want to compose your shot. The more you do this, the faster you’ll be and the better your shots will come out. This photo is an example of using multiple frames in a shot that form part of the background instead of the foreground. Framing from the background reinforces the flowers as the subject and leads the eyes in an obvious order. Here, the empty frames help to balance the photo.

Frame Within A Frame One of the best reasons to use a frame is to provide depth. Another way to reinforce a sense of depth is by repetition. It’s easy to create depth in a photo by using two or more objects (like the hallway frames) that we know to be the same height. They key is to place yourself in the proper place to illustrate the perspective. This provides us with a sense of depth.

Here are some more examples of photos that use the Frame Within A Frame compositional concept…

Your Assignment… Take 5-8 photos that use a Frame Within A Frame concept. Upload 5 photos DO NOT disturb students, staff members, or any classroom activities Finish the images in Photoshop create at least 2 photos in black & white. Manipulate the brightness, contrast, colors, levels, etc. Create compositions that use unique thought and creativity SAVE AS: FRAME WITHIN A FRAME 1, 2, 3, 4, 5