Fill the Frame
Video: Fill the Frame
Challenge level
DIFFICULT
MODERATE
EASY
Main subject and supporting elements you might need
Good for scenes such as nature and portraits where the main subject fills the frame to showcase the subject in more detail.
Fill the Frame
When your photos feel as though they are missing something, maybe the opposite is true. You might be trying to capture too much in one image. One way to improve 99% of your photography is to fill the frame with your subject. A famous quote by celebrated war photographer and photojournalist Robert Capa sums this up perfectly: “If your photographs aren’t good enough, you aren’t close enough.” Rather than fitting lots of a scene into a photo, pick an area of importance and get closer until your iPhone screen is full of the main subject.
How Do You Fill the Frame?
The term ‘fill the frame’ means looking at your photographic subject on the screen of your iPhone and moving closer towards it or zooming in until the subject fills all of the screen. When taking a photo of a car, for example, you fit the car onto the screen without leaving any space in front of or after the automobile. This shows that your photo is definitely about this car. If you took a photo of a car that was surrounded by other vehicles in a parking lot, the viewer would have to be told which car you want them to look at. Filling the frame in this way is useful if you are selling the car, but if you want an artistic shot of this car, then fill the frame in other ways. Get closer and just photograph the front half, or get closer still until you only show the front grill or the manufacturer’s badge.
Fill the Frame for Portraits
Filling the frame has many benefits. It is valuable because the viewer has no doubts about what you want to show them, and it removes from the scene anything in the background that could be distracting. Getting close removes clutter from a photo, which immediately gives it more impact. This is especially true for portrait images. A portrait photo becomes stronger and more engaging when the eyes of the viewer are directed straight to the individual, rather than giving the viewer too much of an opportunity to admire the background instead.
With shots of people, unless you need to take a full-length image to show off their fashion style from head to toe, get closer! At the very least, fill the frame with their upper body. Or, for a more stylistic image, fill the frame with their shoulders and head only.
You’ll be surprised at how close you can get to your subject before you feel as though you’ve gone too far. When you first line up your subject on the screen of your iPhone, take a photo and then open the Wise Camera app. Set the ‘fill the frame’ composition rule and step closer, or zoom in to compose another shot with help from the guiding lines. Tap the screen to rotate the red guidelines until you have the image shape you need for your photo. Now compare the two images, and I guarantee you’ll like the second shot better.
Portrait Tip
When taking shots of people, make sure your iPhone is held upright, so the vertical rectangle matches the vertical nature of a person’s head and shoulders. This removes the excessive background and empty areas from the photo. Hold the iPhone horizontal if the person is reclining. A shot of a friend resting on a beach towel needs this horizontal format; otherwise, there’ll be too much space above and below their head. If you have snapped away at some friends without using the Wise Camera app, you can always crop afterward with the help of the Wise Photos app. Removing empty areas and zooming in closer to your subject makes the image much more appealing.
Final Words
Having a close-up image of your subject shows more detail and only includes features that are meaningful to the story you want to convey to the viewer. All other potential distractions are cropped away and left behind. A quote that is attributed to various famous sculptors suggests, “The only thing necessary to the creation of a great statue is to secure a large block of marble and chip off all that you don’t want.” This quote makes it clear that extra details in an image are not helpful. Portraits, food photography, and photos of flowers work better when you remember this artistic composition tip and fill the screen with your subject. Stepping away from a subject rarely makes your photos better because you are removing yourself from the detail and immediacy of the shot. If you want your photos to have a greater impact—get closer. Then get closer still!
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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What is the Rule of Thirds?The Rule of Thirds is a composition technique used in photography where the frame is divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. Positioning the subject along these lines or at their intersections moves the subject away from the center, creating a more balanced and engaging image.
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Why is the Rule of Thirds important in photography?It adds a simple but dynamic element to photo composition, moving the subject away from the center of the frame to create a well-balanced, harmonious image. This technique makes the photo more interesting and engaging by shifting the weight of the image and providing an unconscious appreciation for its balance.
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Can the Rule of Thirds be applied to all types of photography?Yes, the Rule of Thirds is versatile and can be used for various types of photography including landscapes, portraits, street photography, wildlife, fashion photos, and more. It works well in both horizontal and vertical formats, making it applicable to a wide range of subjects and scenes.
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How does the Rule of Thirds benefit landscape photography specifically?For landscape shots, positioning the horizon one-third of the way from the top or bottom of the frame rather than in the center can make the photo more compelling. This technique allows the photographer to emphasize interesting textures in the foreground or dramatic skies, depending on the horizon's placement.
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What are hot spots in the Rule of Thirds and how are they used?Hot spots refer to the points where the grid lines intersect in the Rule of Thirds grid. Placing your subject at one of these intersecting points incorporates an extra key element into the photo's design. For example, in portraits, aligning the person’s head or an eye at a hot spot can significantly enhance the image's impact.
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How can the Rule of Thirds improve photos that seem lacking?Revisiting photos with the wisdom of hindsight and applying the Rule of Thirds can breathe new life into images that may not have received the attention they deserve. Using this composition technique can often reveal it as the missing piece in the composition puzzle, making the photo more appealing and well-composed.
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What is negative space in photography?Negative space refers to the area around the main subject of a photograph that is left empty or uncluttered. This compositional technique emphasizes the main subject by providing lots of room around it, directing the viewer's focus to the subject and adding a sense of calmness and contemplation to the image.
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How does negative space impact the viewer's perception of a photo?Negative space creates a dramatic effect that makes the viewer stop and consider the impact of the photo. It draws attention to the main subject, induces feelings of solitude and peacefulness, and provokes curiosity about the photographer's intent by breaking traditional photography rules.
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What is the difference between positive and negative space?Positive space in a photo is the area occupied by the subject, whereas negative space is the area around the subject. Using a lot of negative space can make the subject stand out more prominently, offering a clear contrast between the subject and its surroundings without making the image feel crowded or cluttered.
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Can negative space have color or texture?Yes, negative space doesn't have to be completely white or blank. It can include color or texture, such as a blue sky or a field of grass, as long as these elements do not distract from the main subject. The key is to maintain contrast and ensure that the background objects in the negative space do not draw attention away from the focal point.
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How can photographers effectively use negative space in their compositions?Photographers can use negative space by ensuring that the background occupies more space in the frame than the subject. Using the Wise Camera app, photographers can position their subject within a guided area, leaving ample space around it as indicated by the app's guidelines. This approach helps in isolating the subject and drawing the viewer's attention directly to it.
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What are some tips for creating negative space in photos taken with an iPhone?When using an iPhone, photographers can take advantage of its wide angle of view to leave extra space around the subject, emphasizing the negative space. If necessary, photos can be cropped afterward using the Wise Photos app to adjust the composition and create a more impactful negative space image.
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What is the Left to Right composition rule in photography?The Left to Right composition rule involves positioning the subject on the left side of the frame, making them look or move towards the right. This technique leverages the natural way viewers scan an image, particularly in cultures accustomed to reading from left to right, creating a dynamic and engaging visual flow.
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Why position the subject on the left side of the image?Positioning the subject on the left side of the image takes advantage of the natural reading and viewing habits of people in Western cultures, who tend to scan images starting from the left. This positioning guides viewers through the image in a comfortable and familiar pattern, enhancing the photo's impact.
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How does the Left to Right rule enhance storytelling in photographs?By having the subject look or move towards the right, photographers can introduce a sense of direction, movement, and mystery to their images. This technique encourages viewers to ponder what has captured the subject's attention or where they are heading, adding a storytelling aspect to the photograph.
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Can the Left to Right rule be applied to all types of photography?Yes, the Left to Right rule can be applied across various photography genres, including sports, street photography, portraits, and more. It is especially effective in scenes with moving subjects, such as racing cars, sailboats, airplanes, and people walking or running.
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How does cultural reading direction influence the effectiveness of this composition rule?Cultural reading direction significantly influences how viewers perceive an image. In cultures where reading occurs from right to left, such as those using Arabic and Hebrew scripts, the visual path through an image may be reversed. Photographers working in these cultures might place the main subject on the right side of the frame for a more natural viewing experience for their audience.
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How can photographers implement the Left to Right rule in their work?Photographers can implement the Left to Right rule by using tools like the Wise Camera app, which offers guidelines for positioning subjects. They should ensure the subject is placed on the left, looking or moving towards the right, and leave ample space on the right side of the frame for the subject to "move into." This composition approach makes photos more appealing and engaging to viewers, encouraging them to explore the entire image.