You can frame a photograph in two ways. Often the first thing that comes to mind is a picture frame that you place an already printed photograph into – but you can also frame the subject of your photograph in its composition.

The key to taking any great photo is the composition of the image. Composition is the process of arranging things in your shot, so that you can easily convey what you want the viewer to see. If done right, your composition will make it easier for the viewer to understand the purpose of your image.

Framing is the technique of drawing the attention to the subject of your image by blocking out other parts of the image using something in the scene. It is a compositional technique which is often overlooked yet it can be the defining point of a great image.

What to Use to Frame Your Photograph:

What do you ‘frame’ your image with? Step away from the thought of a traditional picture frame and get creative. Your image can be framed using many different elements of your scene, such as:

• Windows
• Tunnels
• Tree Branches
• Doorways
• Arches
• People (shooting between other people’s shoulders, heads or bodies with only the person behind them in focus)

Of course, you can use a traditional picture frame in your shot too – just line it up with your subject (or subjects) and snap away. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

A frame does not need to cover all edges of the photograph like a traditional picture frame; it may only cover a few edges or one side. Whether the frame is in the foreground or the background is entirely up to you, however, for the most dramatic effect you will likely want to use your frame in the foreground of the image.

When framing your image, make sure that it doesn’t take away from your subject as this would defeat the purpose of framing your image entirely. You will want to ensure that your subject is in full focus and that your frame does not add to much clutter to distract the viewer. Your frame may be in or out of focus, depending on how you want your image to appear and whether you want your frame to add context to the scene.

Framing your photograph can add a number of benefits to your final image, including:

• Making it easier for the viewer to understand the purpose of your image
• Giving the photograph context
• Drawing the viewers eye straight to your subject
• Adding interest
• Giving the image a sense of depth
• Creating layers within the image
• Adding a sense of organisation or containment to your image

You can use the framing technique in any type of photograph – from landscapes to portraits and everything in between.