Framing

One of the objects of creating a good photograph is to make the viewer see what you wanted them to see. One way to achieve this is by using a compositional tool called framing. As the name implies your subject is going to be framed within the picture area. What you frame that subject with and how the framing subject is utilized will determine how effective the outcome will be.

An image often created by wedding photographers has the bride and groom standing in the doorway of the church engaged in a tender kiss. The photographer stands inside the church looking out. The couple is silhouetted against the background and framed by the doorway of the church. The doorway being used as a frame in this situation helps to keep the viewers attention focused on the bride and groom and prevents their eyes from straying around the rest of the photograph.

The doorway in the above example is a common frame. Some other common frames are: a window, part of a tree trunk and branch, or maybe some overhanging foliage.

Assignment: Take a number of photographs incorporating the principle of framing in each one. Use something that naturally occurs in the foreground or background to frame your subject.

Caution: Make sure that whatever is used for the frame doesn't compete for attention with your subject. This can be achieved by including only part of the framing object and not the entire subject; i.e., do not use the entire tree for the frame only part of its trunk and branch.