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General Framing |
Subjects in the background can be framed by a simple
element in the foreground. |
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Introduction |
In photography, framing is more than
just a method of display. It can
also serve as an element in the
photograph itself. |
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Basic Framing |
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This picture of a monk in an open
stone window is an example of simple
framing. By not including any
additional building features or
background, the stone acts as a
simple frame to keep the viewer’s
attention from wandering away from
the main subject – the monk.
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Monk at Bayon (Cambodia) |
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Aesthetic Value |
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Whenever possible, the framing
object should have some aesthetic
value of its own. In this picture,
an inner portion of the Great Wall
of China was used to frame a section
of wall in the distance. In this
case, it was necessary to crouch
down in order to silhouette the
tower against the sky.
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Great Wall
(China) |
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Framing with Details |
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In this example of framing, we
entered one chimney in order to use
its opening to frame another chimney
in the distance. The detail and
sharpness of the rocks and sand in
the foreground enhanced the
three-dimensional aspects of this
image.
An aperture setting of f/16, and a
wide-angle lens were used for this
picture. The small aperture
permitted both the near and distant
images to appear in focus. |
Fairy Chimney (Turkey) |
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Framing with Natural Formation |
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We
framed this image of Water Falls
with the surrounding rock formation.
We walked around the scene and
finally selected a vantage point
which included rocks on the sides
and river on the bottom of the
falls. The rocks act as a frame to
keep the viewer’s focus on the
falls. The river acts as a leading
line allowing the water to flow down
to the very bottom of this image. |
Victoria
Falls (Zimbabwe) |
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Conclusion |
Framing is an important part of
photographic composition. A careful
selection of the framing elements
will result in better pictures. |
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