Using Framing to take Engaging Photographs
Properly framing a subject within a scene can be the difference between an engaging asset for telling a story, and one that distracts from the intended message. By applying various framing techniques or looking for opportunities within an environment, thoughtful compositions can elevate the interest of viewers and aid the project’s story component significantly.
Definitions
“Framing in photography refers to the process of composing a picture. It involves choosing what you’ll include in the frame and what you’ll leave out. The goal is to create a pleasing composition that directs the viewer’s attention to the subject matter.” (www.adobe.com)
“In photography symmetry appears when parts of your composition mirror other parts. It is created when two halves of your scene look the same and balance each other out.” (www.theschoolofphotography.com)
“Leading lines are a compositional technique where human-made or natural lines lead the viewer’s eyes through a photograph to the subject or the heart of the image. They can be very noticeable, or they can be quite subtle. This compositional tool helps photographers direct the focus of the photo, create balance, and tell a story with the image” (www.adobe.com)
“The rule of thirds is a composition guideline that places your subject in the left or right third of an image, leaving the other two thirds more open. While there are other forms of composition, the rule of thirds generally leads to compelling and well-composed shots.” (www.adobe.com)
Examples of Framing in Photography
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- Using nearby structures to highlight subjects allows for a stronger focus on intended details
- Uses the archway to frame the subject
- Contrast using complementary colors of the stone archway and the blue sky
- Shadows at the corners of the frame keep the archway from being distracting
- Framing makes the composition more interesting than if it were just the scene shown within the archway
02
- Displays the use of horizontal and vertical symmetry
- Three windows centered horizontally
- People centered within the window frames
- Reflection on the ground centered vertically
- The symmetrical elements provide more interest in the scene and is appealing for the viewer
- Windows are used to frame the people in the scene
- Uses lighting contrast and symmetry to do so
03
- Displays the use of radial symmetry and centering
- Bird is placed at the direct center of the photograph
- Beams on the structure are leading lines that surround the opening and radiate outward
- Focus is immediately placed on the subject due to its centering and contrast from the foreground/background
- Uses lighting/color contrast and symmetry to do so
- The scene is not overcomplicated by other elements,
- Just made up of the structure, background, and subject
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- Displays the use of horizontal symmetry and asymmetry
- Wires and structure are centered horizontal
- Flag is centered but only waving on the right side
- Clouds are scattered throughout the background
- Focus is placed on the flag due to contrast, asymmetry, and other framing techniques
- Color/light contrast of the flag against the structure and the sky
- Asymmetry draws attention since other elements are symmetrical
- Wires act as leading lines that lead to the center of the image
05
- Displays the use of leading lines
- Pits in the ground lead to horizon which guides the viewers focus from the bottom to the top of the image
- Horizon placed high to incorporate more of the ground in the foreground
- Background mountains don’t add to the narrative
- Centered line of pits is the immediate focus
- High contrast is creates interesting visuals
- Person on the side provides a human element
- Shadows of pits and behind mound of soil
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- Displays the use of leading lines and symmetry
- Bridge railing and planks lead focus from the bottom to center of the frame with the person walking
- The person and bridge is centered horizontally within the frame
- Leading lines an symmetry provide focus on the subject despite the scene having many visual elements
- Horizon is centered to provide narrative context
- Shows where the subject is going
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- Displays the use of leading lines asymmetrically
- Railing leads eyes from audience to the demonstrator
- Visual distinction between the demonstrator and the audience in the scene
- Stationary audience is contained within leading lines
- Demonstrator is moving mostly outside the lines
- Horizon is low to provide narrative context
- Allows for moment of story to be captured
- Ground isn’t very important to the narrative
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- Displays the rule of thirds in a landscape setting
- Tree’s center placed on left third of the image
- Horizon placed on the lower third of the image
- Using the rule of thirds with the tree allows for more interesting framing than centering the tree
- Few visual elements means that centering the subject would not provide much variety in the photo
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- Displays the rule of thirds in a portrait setting
- Subject’s center placed on the left third of the image
- End of booths placed on the right third of the image
- Placing subject on the left third allows for context and separation
- Right of the image contains context of subject’s surroundings
- Subject only occupies the left side and the background only occupies the right
- No clashing of foreground and background
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- Displays the rule of thirds in a natural setting
- Sheep’s center placed on the lower left third of image
- Horizon placed on the upper third of the image
- Sheep is properly given space where it is facing
- Visually appealing for the subject to be on the left so we can see more of what is in front of the subject than what is behind it
- Subject in the lower left of image allows for stacking of the scene’s various layers
- Sky, ocean/beach, and dune make up roughly equal portion of the image because of the subjects position