Framing

Using FramesPhoto I

Ms. Young

Framing draws attention to the subject by blocking other parts of the image with something

else in the scene

Common framesArchitect

ural Natural

Human Man-Made

Benefits of Frames

1. Gives the photo context.

What you use as a frame should tell your viewer something about the

place use are photographing.

What context does this image provide? What is happening? Where is she? Where is she going? How does the FRAME

suggest these things?

Benefits of Framing

2. Gives a sense of depth and layers.

Framing places part of your shot in the foreground and something

else in the background. This creates depth and gives your

viewer more than one layer to look at.

Does the carousel feel close or far away? What creates that feeling?

How many frames are in this shot?

Benefits of Framing

3. Leads the eye to the main focal point.

Effective frames bring your viewer’s eye into what you want them to see. Additionally, frames tend to cause eyes to linger on an image.

Who is the subject here? How do you know? Does having more than

one element framed add to or detract from the image?

Benefits of Framing

4. Intrigues your viewer.Clever framing can leave your

viewer wondering a little bit, and craving more. Sometimes, it is what you can’t see in a photo that draws

you to it.

What questions do you have? Where is your eye drawn in this photo? Why

is this frame effective?

Techniques for Framing

Use foregrounds.Foregrounds add a view-point to pictures. They tell the story from the photographer’s perspective. You can use your foreground to help point your viewer’s eyes to your subject.

Why are these foregrounds effective? How do they help tell the story of the photograph?


Use your environment. Look around you! Windows, doors, branches, mirrors, your hands, fences, etc. all create great frames. You just have to see them!


Tell a story.Framing tells your viewer what you want them to see. Using effective frames can also include environmental elements that help your viewer see the story you want them to observe.

What is the story here? What is the relationship between the subjects? Where are they? What are they doing?


Use your depth of field.High DOF makes more of your image in focus, giving you more possibility for frames. A narrow DOF creates less focus in your image, which can turn environmental elements into natural frames.

POP QUIZ!Which setting on your camera do you change to adjust your depth of field?

Shallow/Narrow DOF Deep/High DOF

APERATURE aka F-STOP!


Follow other guidelines.Don’t forget about the other lessons you’ve learned. You should still look for patterns, lines, shapes, good light, simple backgrounds, interesting angles, etc. All of these things, working together with frames, make your photographs effective.

Final tips for framing

-Get creative. Look for frames. Anything that lets you look through one thing at another thing makes a

frame.

-Find frames that have meaning. Your frames should relate to your subject.

-Play with your DOF. If you want the foreground in focus, you need a small aperture. If you want the background in focus, you need a large aperture.

-Emphasize your subject. Don’t let your frame take away from the focal

point of your photograph. A frame is a detail. It shouldn’t be distracting.

Art & Photos

Framing