Frame within a Frame Photography
In this tutorial, we are going to look at a photographic technique called Frame within a frame. Frame within a frame can add interest to the most mundane scene and will help lead a viewer’s eye into the main part of the image. It’s also great to add depth and context to your imagery. Give your photography that extra spark by learning about the composition technique ‘frame within a frame’.
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What is frame within a frame in photography?
As you may be aware, composition is a top technique to master if you want to create consistently great photography. Frame within a frame is a compositional technique that will add a new string to your bow and it’s really easy to achieve. All you need to do is frame your main subject within another frame, thus creating a frame within a frame.
Frame within a frame example
Using frame within a frame in your compositions has 4 intentions and they are:
1 - To help move the viewer’s eye toward the main subject in your photo
2 - To give your picture context, e.g. add something else that will visually describe the scene
3 - Give the image depth.
4 – To simply give more interest to an otherwise boring scene.
To learn more about what composition is in photography, click here.
Direct the viewer’s eye
One of the main reasons you might want to use a frame within a frame is to concentrate the viewer’s eye to a particular part of the image. In the examples below I wanted to draw attention to the eyes of the model.
This is a simple effect to achieve in portrait photography. In the example, all that’s been added is the hood of a furry coat and some twinkle lights. Simply have a model put the hood up, crop in using your lens and use the edges of the hood to frame the face. With the model staring straight into the lens the viewer has no choice but to stare back into her eyes.
Imagine the picture without the hood creating a frame, it simply wouldn’t have the same effect. It would be boring.
Using a coat hood for frame within a frame
Face with hood framing the face / Camera Settings: 1/60th Second - f/1.8 - ISO 400 - 85mm Focal Length
In the next example, a very similar technique has been used. However, this time a feather scarf was used to frame the models face. Again, imagine the same picture without the feather scarf framing the face. It simply wouldn’t look as good.
Using feather scarf to frame a face / Camera Settings: 1/60th Second - f/2.8 - ISO 100 - 85mm Focal Length
As you can see frame within a frame is a very good technique to use for headshots.
Give your pictures context by using frame within a frame
The advantage of using frame within the frame is that it can be anything you want. For example, nature often provides a number of natural frames such as trees or flowers. Using leaves and trees to shoot through will help place the subject within that scene and help visually describe the place you are in.
In the example below, we were in this beautiful place called St Dunstan-in-the-East in London. This is a church that was largely destroyed during the blitz of the Second World War and the ruins are now a public garden.
Using an archway to frame a person / Camera Settings - 1/250th Second - f/2.8 - ISO 800 - 85mm Focal Length
Using an archway to frame a person / Camera Settings - 1/250th Second - f/2.5 - ISO 400 - 85mm Focal Length
In the shoot, I used the archways of the church to frame the model. Even though the model is relatively small within the picture by adding that arch I am showing off the place we are in. It’s a unique place and had to be added in the photos. Using the frame within a frame technique was perfect for this.
Give your picture depth
If you like that shallow depth of field look, then this technique will help. In the feather, a hood examples above you can see the foreground is blurry and this is because those objects are close to the lens. You can also flip this and focus on a foreground object. This together with other depth of field techniques this will throw the background out of focus and give a sense of depth to your image.
The image below is a great example of this. The foreground and background are blurry, giving depth to the scene. It’s also a great example of the subject ‘frame within a frame’. You have a photo of a phone, photographing a phone, photographing an archway! It doesn’t get more framey than that!
unsplash.com @zacong
Add interest to an otherwise boring scene
If you’re looking at a scene or subject and can’t think what to do to make it look good, use frame within a frame. Believe me, it can add interest to the most mundane of places. Below is a perfect example of this.
A hang glider in the sky can look cool if you’ve got epic mountains and a sunset in the background. But what if it’s grey and the scenery isn’t as impressive. Well, you can do what this photographer has done and hold up an empty picture frame to frame the hand glider in. Genius! What would have been an average picture is now something much more interesting using the simple frame within a frame technique.
unsplah.com @pinewatt
Conclusion
Frame within a frame is a great compositional technique and has many uses to improve your photography. Plus, it’s extremely easy to add, frames are everywhere. If you feel like you need to spice up your photography, give it a go.
Have you ever tried frame within a frame photography? We would love to see your attempts. To show us simply tag #theschoolofphotography on social media.
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