Composition in photography is really important, it defines how all the individual objects combine to form the final image. In this month’s tip, I want to talk about a composition’s rule called “framing”.

Framing usually refers to what we see in our camera screen, but in this context means using the elements in your picture to draw the viewer’s attention to a particular subject.

Natural frame

There are different elements that you can use to create a frame, and today we’re going to explore the “natural frame”.

Natural frame use everything is, of course, “natural”: trees, rocks, mountains, branches, water, and many others.

In toy photography you can make your own nature, using different LEGO elements like big leaves or the good old pine trees.

You can also take a picture through the grass in a way that forms a nice blurred surrounding for your subject.

Artificial frames

Another kind of framing is the “artificial frame”.

The artificial frame uses everything that is not natural (what a surprise) like walls, buildings, fences, tunnels and every kind of object in an urban environment.

But it does not stop here, because even inside a home there are very useful (and sometimes overused) frames, for example, a door or a window.

Remember that is not necessary to shoot through it, but you can use a door or a window as a background element to work as a frame for your subject.

Light and shadow

The third kind of framing that I want to present to you in this month’s tip is “light and shadow”.

Contrast is a powerful way to frame your subject and the best way to do it is to use lights and shadows.

Place your lights carefully to shape a light zone around your subject, there’s no need to make the whole surroundings in shadow, is enough to design a geometric shape with it to catch the viewer’s eye.

When to use frames

The last part of this month’s tip is not exactly a new type of frame but a set of tips. The tip’s tips. Tipception.

First of all, not everything is worth to put in a frame. If you have some doubt, trust your guts and don’t use it.

If you want to create a context, search for a frame, it could help. If you want to create depth in your photo, think about using a frame in the foreground: the eye will be guided to the background details.

Remember to be creative, even a good old bokeh can be used to frame your subject and make it pop.

That’s it for this month’s tip, I hope you enjoy it!

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