Art 177 :: Creative Photography Framing
Framing [photographic frame] The simplest definition of the photographic frame is what you, as the photographer, choose to include in the photograph and what to exclude
Framing [photographic frame] On the surface is easy to know what to include within the frame-what you want people to see This is how the majority of photographs are taken It tells people what you think is important
Framing [photographic frame] However, giving people the answer doesn t often get people to think When the viewer of a photograph is forced to think about the contents of the photograph, they may be encouraged to consider it more Contents = (the objects in the photograph)
Framing [photographic frame] How can you get the viewer to be more invested in the photograph? Don t give away the answer Pose the photograph as a question
Framing [photographic frame] This famous photograph from 2015 is a good example The photograph on the left became a viral when people debated whether the dress was white and gold or blue and black
Framing [photographic frame] Because the photo was overexposed and incorrectly white balanced the dress did appear to be white/gold to some
Framing [photographic frame] But what made this photo so famous and viral was the discussions it inspired Some of which was pretty mean-spirited and nasty But all it did was pose the question What color is this dress?
Framing [photographic frame] One way to get people to become more involved with your photograph is to decide to NOT include something in your photo, but use the composition to lead people to think about what you didn t include
Framing [photographic frame] Cropping out the head of a person will immediately cause questioning about the identity of the person It will also usually create tension in the viewer
Framing [photographic frame] Using leading lines (especially implied lines) to lead off the frame will extend the image You must make sure the composition is strong enough so that the viewer will be encouraged to come back to the photo
Framing [physical frames] Another type of framing is called physical framing These are actual objects in the photograph that block off one or more sides of the frame
Framing [physical frames] If the photograph has light edges or corners, it tends to lead attention off the photo Physical frames are used to prevent the viewer s attention from leaving the photograph in that direction
Framing [physical frames] Physical frames can be: Top Bottom Side(s) Any combination of above Through (or Surround)
Framing [top framing] The dark, unfinished part of the wall stops the viewer from continuing the light wall and places the objects on the wall in a stronger part of the composition Just cropping to the top of the finished wall would place the arrows and question mark too close to the top of the frame
Framing [bottom framing] The dark guardrail directs the viewer away from the stones at the bottom of the frame and to the bicyclist and the path
Framing [side framing] The side framing here keeps the attention on the man and woman
Framing [combination framing] The combination of both sides and top frame redirect the viewer up and then down to the people
Framing [through framing] The through framing, not only creates an interesting shape, it emphasizes a contrast between nature and evidence of human interaction
Framing [through framing] If you want to take an overused, cliché and trite image, do this
Framing [through framing] Or this
Framing [through framing] Even worse
Framing [through framing] What is the photographer saying here?
Framing [in composition] Physical frames can also be part of the composition to emphasize a specific element