Let’s look at a more flexible compositional technique: framing.
This technique is quite simple. If we have an object in our photo that we want to draw the viewer’s attention to, we place that object within a frame, using other existing objects in the shot. These can be natural (trees, mountains) or man-made (doors, windows, bridges). So, we end up with two frames: one is the frame of our photograph (a rectangle), and the other is the one surrounding the object (which can be any shape).
Now, let’s understand what framing offers us.
Benefits of Framing
Firstly, it focuses attention on the main subject. While other techniques achieve this in a less obvious way, here we act more aggressively, leaving no doubt in the viewer’s mind as to what the main element in the shot is.
Framing also adds depth, and not an abstract depth, but one with a very clear boundary. Our photo is divided into two parts: from the viewer to the frame, and beyond the frame. Thanks to this division, the viewer’s perception of the shot changes dramatically; their gaze travels into the depth of the photo, beyond the frame.
Another psychological effect that framing provides is making the viewer truly an observer. While in many cases the viewer feels immersed within the frame (which itself requires great skill from the photographer), in this case, the viewer looks at the main object from a distance (but still from within the frame). They don’t enter its personal space, and they don’t allow the object to enter theirs – there’s a barrier between them.
And finally, framing allows us to achieve artistic solutions that would be impossible otherwise. We are not limited by the shape of the frame; it could be a window with broken glass or an arch formed by intertwined trees, and in each case, we get a unique shot and perception.
Creating a frame within a frame isn’t too difficult. You simply need to find any object or objects that can enclose your main subject.
First and foremost, look for anything that can appear between your camera and your subject. This could be an open door, a window, or even other people. And it’s not even essential for the frame to be complete; it can be open on one or more sides. What’s crucial is that it divides the photo by depth, forcing the viewer to pause at that boundary for a moment before moving on to the main subject.
Creative Framing Opportunities
The entire background can also serve as a frame if the main subject somehow stands out against it. The brilliant Tarantino often uses this technique, showing only the shadows of his characters while making a part of the world surrounding them into a frame.
Another source of inspiration can be reflections. A mirror hanging on a wall, water spilled on the asphalt, or a train car window can effectively frame a subject. What’s more, they expand the space in another dimension, giving the photo a new level of depth.
Besides being simple, this technique is also quite universal. It can be successfully applied in almost all genres, provided you show enough ingenuity.
The first and most obvious application is, of course, in portraits, whether full-body or close-up. In this case, framing allows your subject to have their own personal space within the frame and strengthens their connection to that space, in contrast to the part of the frame outside the frame. The viewer begins to perceive what’s inside the frame as a whole, creating a frame within a frame effect. Additionally, if there are other people in the shot, this technique effectively and undeniably shows who the main subject is.
Framing is also frequently used in street and urban photography. In these two genres, the challenge usually lies in the shot being cluttered with people, cars, and various structures. In such cases, the photographer faces the problem of isolating the main subject, and it’s not always possible to do this through focus or light. This is where framing comes to the rescue, distinctly separating the primary from the secondary.
The Creative Freedom of Framing
As you’ve seen, this compositional technique differs quite a bit from the ones discussed so far. There are no strict rules here; one could say there are no rules at all. Framing is simply an idea, and the execution of that idea is purely a creative endeavor. Therefore, it’s quite difficult to give precise advice. Almost anything can serve as a frame – both tangible and intangible elements. All you need to do is observe them in the world around you.
In general, this technique works best when the frame isn’t artificially created but is rather a natural part of the surrounding world or a specific situation. You’ll encounter its use less frequently in documentary photography than in conceptual photography, and perhaps it is in this genre that it fully expresses itself.