Framing Depth
Video: Framing Depth
Challenge level
DIFFICULT
MODERATE
EASY
Main subject and supporting elements you might need
Good for scenes such as landscapes, architecture, and street photography where the main subject is in the middle and supporting elements are around the main subject and in the foreground.
Framing Depth
Photographic composition is arranging various parts of an image in the frame, so they look appealing at first, second, and third glance. Composition is an art form, so it’s little wonder that artists have always set up their drawings and paintings along carefully considered lines and angles. Even abstract work follows certain design principles, either consciously or unconsciously arranged by the artist. Various parts of abstract paintings always relate to the image as a whole, and photographers apply these same rules if they want their photos to be appealing and interesting to the viewer. One of the best artistic composition rules that flowed from art to photography uses framing depth. Just as a physical frame surrounds and complements a photo, placing something around the main subject of an image gives it depth and makes it stand out.
What is Framing Depth?
Framing depth is a simple concept: if you narrow the field of view surrounding the subject of your photograph, the viewer’s eyes can’t be distracted by anything else! This idea works so well it’s been used by artists for hundreds of years. In photography, the camera user makes sure the main subject is ‘framed’ by objects or people nearby. The subject is the central focus point of the photo, and other parts of the environment cover the foreground, sides, and top of the image. This directs the viewer’s eyes to lock onto the subject straight away.
When using an iPhone, you don’t always have the luxury of planning how much of the framing elements stay in focus or blend into blurriness. Often an iPhone will focus on the object that’s closest to the lens, which isn’t what you want. Avoid this problem by tapping your finger on the image of the subject on the screen, and this will show the iPhone where you want the focal point to be. Doing this keeps the subject sharp, and it makes the foreground fuzzy. Then the eyes of the viewer will go straight to the sharply focused subject as intended. The newer models of the iPhone have a ‘portrait’ mode that makes a huge difference to photos. When you choose that option on the iPhone, and it detects a person in the shot, it automatically and effectively blurs the foreground and background of the image, isolating the subject superbly. This produces a substantial level of depth in a portrait.
It’s also worth using the Wise Camera app to fine-tune your composition. Choose the ‘Framing Depth’ option to line up your main point of interest within the oval guideline. Tap the screen to make the area larger or smaller depending on the size of the subject you are fitting into the area. Finish your alignment with the zoom slider to make sure your subject fills up the center of the image.
What Are Some Good Examples of Framing Depth?
A favorite example of artwork that features great use of this artistic composition rule is a piece by Dante Gabriel Rossetti called, The Beloved. Rossetti was a founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Even though this group of artists lived in England in the 1800s, they chose to paint with the intense colors and style of compositions found in Italian art prior to the Renaissance era. In this magnificent painting, a young woman prepares for her wedding ceremony. The brightness of her face immediately draws your attention, especially since the surrounding faces and clothing are darker. But the main reason why the bride dominates the composition is that she is framed so well by the people around her. Your eyes will eventually drift to other areas in the image, but there’s no denying that the bride is the main figure and the others merely have supporting roles.
The famous image of Afghan Girl on the cover of the National Geographic magazine uses framing depth to perfection. The scarf around her head and shoulders, along with the darkness of her hair, frame the image in such a way that your eyes are immediately captivated by the stunning, dominant green eye at the very center of the image. The combination of framing depth composition, strikingly beautiful colors, and the piercing gaze of this twelve-year-old orphan ensured this photo became National Geographic’s most successful cover image.
A more typical example of framing depth is captured by every wedding photographer who does their job properly. As the bridal couple leaves the church, the photographer will ask them to pause under the arch of the church’s doorway. As they step into the world for the first time as a married couple, the photographer captures the moment as the arch frames them, drawing all of your attention to them in the central area of the image.
Using Framing Depth in Your Photography
You can achieve similar results to The Beloved, Afghan Girl, and wedding couples under arches—and your subject can be anything! It’s all due to the positioning of your subject and their environment. The idea is to add depth to the image by surrounding the main part of the photo with other people or objects to narrow the view of the subject. This works as long as these other elements are more subdued than the main subject, so they don’t take attention away from the central area.
Looking through the overhanging branches of a tree and framing a friend through an oval of green leaves is another popular example of framing depth. This has the added benefit of giving context to the environment of the shot, showing that the friend is enjoying being out in nature. The Wise Camera app helps you with any form of circular gap can be used to channel vision onto your chosen subject. Of course, you are not limited to circular or oval shapes for framing. An arch in a bridge, an opening on a wall, the entrance or doorways in a building, and windows also work perfectly well to surround a subject for greater impact.
When the day is done, and you are admiring your photos on your iPhone, don’t worry if you start having second thoughts about having too much framing in your images. If you feel the central area is overpowered by the items around the subject, use the Wise Photos app and enlarge the image until you shave off enough of the surroundings for better composition. The red guidelines make sure you keep the subject in the exact center of the photo for perfect balance and harmony.
When to Use Framing Depth?
Framing Depth is not just about adding an extra dimension to an image; it’s also useful in landscape photography where there is a lot of flat, empty space around your subject. Shooting through the branches of a tree blocks featureless areas and draws attention to the real subject of the scene. It stops the main point of interest from becoming lost. For example, Japan’s Mount Fuji is definitely not a boring subject to photograph, but there is a lot of flat land around it, so it can be tricky to capture it in a compelling way. Standing behind a branch of cherry blossoms means you can photograph Mount Fuji surrounded by pink flowers. This draws attention to the mountain and adds a dash of color to the edges of the image as well. Taking a photograph of Mount Fuji in conjunction with this other Japanese icon turns the photo into a unique image that you’ll treasure forever.
Using this composition method has another trick up its sleeves. It’s not only useful for blocking emptiness, but it can also cover distracting parts of a busy scene. This tells the viewer to ignore all other areas of the photo and shows them exactly where you want them to look.
Final Thoughts
There’s a good reason why this composition format has been used for centuries: it works! With just a bit of forethought, you can make a stunning image that accentuates the subject in a naturally pleasing manner. The technique of framing depth does exactly what it suggests: it uses framing of the subject to add depth to an image. Placing parts of the scenery in front of the subject forms a layer that gives the photo greater visual interest.
Whenever you have your iPhone in your hand, and you have the itch to create a special photo, look for a vantage point that produces a framing effect around your subject. Sometimes it can be even more advantageous to find a framing opportunity and then move your subject behind it to get an enticing photo. Framing depth is a composition option that’s worth a little extra effort!
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.