Composition: Framing

Framing is  ‘a photographic technique used to bring focus to a subject’. Framing immediately brings attention to your subject. Whether it be a very literal frame (that went through a popular “prop” phase), environmental, or structural framing, framing with light or lack of light, they all work well to bring the viewer’s eye to your subject.

Architectural elements are probably the most obvious way to frame a subject:  doorways, window frames, archways, framed mirrors.

Environmental shapes. Photographing through trees, grasses, flowers, or bushes can often bring more attention to your subject by creating a blurred foreground. The eye tends to go toward the in focus areas of the images first.

Looking for the light. Using the available light or lack of to frame your subject is also effective. It is a more subtle approach to framing, in my opinion, but it is a beautiful way to highlight not only your subject, but gorgeous light.

Just about any opening or shape can be used to frame your subject. If it forms a defined area, use it to frame your subject.

Steps:

1. Take 15-30 images using shapes to frame and emphasize or surround the main subject, 
2. Then download the images, 
3. Select your top 2 photos and save them to the share folder.
4. Post your best image to your blog, 
5. Title your post using the emphasis technique- Framing with Shapes.
6. Write out a reflection: identify the subject and explain how the technique emphasizes it.
7. Collect all of your images (up to 40 max) in a contact sheet,
8. Save your contact sheet as a jpg and post to your blog.

** Next try Rule of Thirds and repeat the steps, after that focus on Repetition and finally Contrast.