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COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING

Quick Guide
Written by Tobie Schalkwyk

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 1

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 INTRODUCTION

When you saw the word ‘framing’ in the title of this Here is what we will cover:
guide, you probably thought of wooden, steel, and
other frames used to frame a print. Well, that is not • The purpose of using a frame within a photo
what the guide is about! composition
• The two main categories of a composition frame
The framing we’re going to discuss is a composition • The vignette and blur technique
technique. It involves framing done in-camera and/or • Panning as a frame
done by means of post-processing. • Using a zoom burst as a frame
• The camera rotation and flash burst technique
The framing happens inside of an image and does • Finding natural frames
not necessarily have anything to do with its edges. • Contrast as a frame
We’re first going to look at why anyone would want • Light and shadow as a frame
to do this type of framing and then look at a few • Posing as a frame
types and examples.
Recommended Reading: If you’d like to
Note: It is not possible to discuss the ‘how’ improve your composition skills for better
of each framing technique in detail because images, grab a copy of Photzy’s best-selling
each of them justifies a guide on its own. I will premium guide: Advanced Composition.
sometimes add a few details, though – just
enough to let you decide if it’s something you
would like to try out or not.

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 2

 WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF
COMPOSITIONAL FRAMING?

Framing has a multitude of purposes. Here are just a few of

them:
The main purpose of • The main purpose of framing is to emphasize your
framing is to emphasize subject (to place focus on it)
your subject. • To draw attention to your subject (perhaps more of a
forced drawing of attention to it – the same as leading
lines)
• To create a mood
• To create a specific artistic effect
• To remove clutter (or to make it less prominent)

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 3

 TWO MAIN CATEGORIES
OF FRAMING

There are a lot of framing techniques from

which you can choose to draw attention
to your subject. All framing techniques fit
into two main categories: partial and full
framing.

PARTIAL FRAMING

This framing method involves the

blocking of part of your image in order to
force focus onto your main subject.

Photograph by Mukesh Mohanty

A part of this image had been blocked by the groom in order to force focus on the
bride. The groom does not add anything of interest that would draw attention away
from her. Background blur was used to remove clutter behind the bride.

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 4

 FULL FRAMING

In full framing, the full image is framed

to channel the viewer’s eyes toward a
subject.

Key Lesson: Don’t get stuck

with one or two particular ways of
framing. Use it fully or partially,
dark, light, or blur—or a
combination of these—to force
focus onto your subject or perhaps
one particular aspect of your
subject.

Photograph by Tobie Schalkwyk

This frame was added in post-processing (Topaz Texture Effects)
to enhance focus on the model and to add interest.

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 5

 FRAMING TECHNIQUES

No matter how many framing techniques

I cover here, I’m guaranteed to miss tons
of them. The fact is, the only limit to the
type of frame used is your imagination.

Let’s look at a few.

VIGNETTE AND BLUR

This is probably the most common

framing technique used because it’s so
easy to do and it’s available in just about
every post-processing tool. Vignette can
be split into two main categories: the
darkening of borders and the lightening
of borders. It may or may not be applied
together with the blurring of borders.

How?

Post-processing tool.

Photograph by Tobie Schalkwyk

A darkening vignette was added in post-processing to channel focus to the
model and to de-emphasize clutter. It also adds to a mystic mood.

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 6

 How?

Post-processing tool.

Photograph by Tobie Schalkwyk

In this image, a lighter vignette was used on three sides in
order to force focus onto the front part of model.

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 7

 How?

Post-processing tool.

Key Lesson: Never allow

clutter to take focus away from your
subject. Crop it out, remove it with
vignette, or blur it. Always give
your viewers’ eyes a place to come
to rest.

Recommended Reading: If you’d

like to improve your composition
skills for better images, grab a copy
of Photzy’s best-selling premium
guide: Advanced Composition.

Photograph by Tobie Schalkwyk

This cheetah could easily get lost in the detail and clutter of foliage
around him. Focus is kept on him by blurring his surroundings.

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 8

 EFFECTS AS A FRAMING
TECHNIQUE

Various framing effects are available in

photography. Let’s have a look at a few.

PANNING

How?

A slow shutter speed (1/60s) was used to

create the effect of motion, while panning
the camera at the speed of the car
through the viewfinder.
Photograph by Tobie Schalkwyk
In this image, a frame of ‘perceived movement’ was used to channel focus to
the driver’s cockpit. The viewer’s eyes have nowhere else to settle down.

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 9

 ZOOM BURSTS

How?

This technique involves the slow zooming

in/out with your lens or camera while
keeping focus on your main subject.
Exposure times are extremely long
(sometimes 20–30 seconds) in order to
create the burst effect. In the daytime,
ND filters are required to slow down
your shutter speed sufficiently in order to
accomplish this.

Such long exposures obviously need a

tripod and a steady zooming hand to
create straight burst lines.

Photograph by Robert Zunikoff

In this image, the eyes have no choice but to come to rest on the cue (white)
ball. All of the other balls together form the channeling frame around it.

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 10

 CAMERA ROTATION

How?

This technique involves the quick rotation

of the camera which is set to a slow
shutter speed. An on-camera flash (or
external camera controlled wirelessly) is
used to light up and freeze the couple in
the frame.

Key Lesson: Many effects are

available to help you frame your
subject. Study them and practice
them wherever you go. The day will
come when you need them and
then you will apply them with
confidence.

Photograph by Tobie Schalkwyk

The camera rotation was used to frame the dancing couple. The frame
was formed by the light streaks in the background. It forces the eyes
to come to rest on one place only: the dancing couple.

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 11

 NATURAL FRAMES

Natural frames may comprise natural or

man-made structures.

One of the classic uses of a man-made

frame at a wedding is a door.

How?

Compose your subject inside the lines of

a clearly defined object that surrounds
the subject.

Photograph by Jonathan Borba

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 12

 A classic frame used for weddings is a car
window.

Photograph by Marius Muresan

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 13

 How?

The sun entering the building in the

background helped to light up the
surroundings. A light source may be used
on this side of the couple to add more
detail. Contrast can create a frame.

Photograph by Alex Perelmuter

A beautiful example of how a couple was framed with the help of architecture.

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 14

 Key Lesson: Many natural
frames are available during a shoot.
Look around you and don’t be
afraid to innovate. Watch for light
and shadow frames.

Recommended Reading: If you’d

like to improve your composition
skills for better images, grab a copy
of Photzy’s best-selling premium
guide: Advanced Composition.

Photograph by Tobie Schalkwyk

In this image, the shade of a cross beam as well as two vertical poles of a fence
were combined to force the viewers’ eyes to come to rest on the model’s eyes.

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 15

 POSES AS FRAMING
TECHNIQUE

A lot of fun can be had by playing

with posing ideas and, yet again, your
imagination is your only limit.

Don’t be scared to create your own

frames by means of specific poses. This
model’s hands leave no doubt where
she’d like your eyes to settle: on her
beautiful eyes.

Photograph by Tobie Schalkwyk

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 16

 Photograph by Tobie Schalkwyk
A fun idea is to frame the sun at sunset.

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 17

 Photograph by Tobie Schalkwyk
This natural frame places focus on the bunch of baobab trees in the distance.

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 18

 Photograph by Tobie Schalkwyk
A frame created by the bride’s shoe.
A blurred vignette adds to channel
focus to the wedding bands.

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 19

 CONCLUSION

Framing is a magical tool to introduce

variety to a wedding album, or any photo
session for that matter. The possibilities
are endless. The cherry on the cake is that
they are free!

Always be on the lookout for framing

possibilities. Don’t be afraid to combine
various framing techniques in order to
produce super shots.

Most importantly, enjoy your shoot!

Photograph by Marius Muresan

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 20

 Self-Check Quiz:

1) What is a composition frame? 6) What is a zoom burst?

2) A frame can emphasize the subject, 7) How do you set up a camera rotation
create mood, create an artistic effect, or framing effect?
remove ______________.
8) Name several natural frames.
3) What are the two main categories of
composition frames? 9) You can create a frame using light and
___________.
4) The three types of vignette frames are
dark, light, and _______. 10) Can you create a frame in the posing of
your subject?
5) Combining a slow shutter speed with
camera movement and a moving subject
can create a frame with the technique
called ______________.

COMPOSITION AND SUBJECT FRAMING // © PHOTZY.COM 21

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Hey there!
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we're here to help you every step of the way! Here are 3 of our most useful (and
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Grab 3 free photography cheat Take this 30 second quiz to find out Free access to our library of 250+
sheets that will help you the #1 thing holding your downloadable (pdf) tutorials on
understand the basics. photography back. everything you can imagine.

Download Cheat Sheets → Take Quiz → Download eBooks →

Want quick photography tips?

Check out our friends at DailyPhotoTips.com they'll send you 1 solid photography tip
to your inbox, 5 days a week. So you can start your day right, with actionable tips to
help you on your creative journey. Subscribe now →
(free for a limited time)

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 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Congratulations! You’ve
completed this Photzy guide!

If you liked this photography tutorial, check

out one of our premium composition guides
to help you produce truly outstanding
images: Advanced Composition.

Tobie Schalkwyk is a retired Web Systems Developer

hoping to soon make an income from photography
alone. He has a passion for all genres of nature IF YOU’D LIKE TO CONTINUE
photography, specially bird photography but he also LEARNING AND IMPROVING
gets involved in other genres of photography like YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY PLEASE
weddings, events and in-studio portraits.
VISIT PHOTZY.COM
Website: ctsphotography.co.za

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