Framing
What it is
Framing involves using elements within the scene — like doorways, archways, branches, or windows — to create a "frame within a frame" around your main subject.
Why it matters
It provides context, adds depth, and directs the viewer’s gaze, making the subject feel like the centre of a focused story.
A common pitfall
The framing element is often so distracting or blurry that it obscures the subject rather than highlighting it.
What to look for when you’re shooting
- Look for natural apertures, such as tree branches overhanging a path, to create a border.
- Step back to shoot through a window, archway, or gap in a crowd to capture the subject through an opening.
- Ensure the "frame" isn’t so bright or colourful that it competes with your subject for attention.
Drawing on canonical photography composition literature, cross-checked for accuracy. See the other entries for related dimensions.