The viewfinder frame is the most important part of a camera. Taking a photo is as simple as aiming this frame and clicking. Ok, there are some other steps involved, but arguably the most difficult part is getting the framing right.
With a single subject, you have many choices- you can move the frame around, move closer or further away or zoom in or out. Each choice gives the photo a different feel... if the subject dominates the frame, it can be seen as striking and/or imposing.
If the subject is only a small part of the frame, it is given less importance and can be seen to be dominated by its surroundings.
However, filling the frame also allows you to show more detail in a subject, create impact and cut out irrelevant surroundings. On the other hand, the surroundings may be important- they may be unusual, help to put the subject in context or simply make the shot more interesting.
Should you decide to show the background, each position in which the subject could be placed has a decidedly different effect. Place a moving object near the edge of the photo and it will either be moving into or out of the shot, depending on the direction it is facing.
Avoid the obvious- placing the subject in the centre of the shot often results in a rather boring photo!
Most photos have a main focus of interest that will have to be placed somewhere in the frame. Decide what this is and then decide how to fit it in the photo. If you're really close, you might only just be able to fit the subject into the frame. Sometimes including only a part of the subject can result in a very effective photo.
Graphic Framing
Sometimes you can use something in the photo to frame the scene. This could take the form of overhanging tree branchs, a window or something more imaginative. The requirement for a frame within the scene is that something in the foreground surrounds/obscures a part of the view beyond. As with any strong technique, it succeeds when used sparingly and with originality.
When it does work, it gives a fantastic sense of completeness to a photo. This is partly because the frame is natural and more interesting than the familiar rectangle frame produced by the camera's viewfinder. Another reason why graphic framing is such an effective technique is that it lends an element of depth to the image.
Experiment with the size of the frame and its position in relation to your subject. If there is barely any space between the two, the frame can overwhelm the subject. However, if there is too much space, the framing effect will be lost. Silhouetted frames are often the strongest of all and can be especially effective when looking outside from a darkened interior.
