what is "framing" when taking a picture ????

Question

My web tech teacher is making us research “resolution”, “rule of thirds” and “framing” for taking photographs. I try to look for some web sites that could help me but the only one that came up as wikipedia. The problem is that my teacher says that wikipedia is not reliable but i dont know where else i can get a good explanation of these three words. I kind of understand resolution and the rule of thirds but framing i really do not understand at all. can someone please help me.

Answer 1

I vaguely remember something about "rule of thirds" from my distant school years. Now days, composition is more instinctive than any thought out process. It's not that the "rules" don't apply. It's that years of practice allow me to compose "on the fly" so that shots can be taken with less hesitation. As a photographer, I consider myself an ameteur, but good composition applies to fine art, graphic design and photography.

Two things about framing:

The subject of the shot does not have to be exactly centered. Balance does not mean symmetry. Negative space, or the empty space behind the subject is part of the composition. In fact, a shot looks more interesting if a subject is moving "into" the frame, rather than walking out. (remember the old joke: "How far can a boy run into the park. Only half way, because then he'd be running out.") A subject can't be moving INTO a frame unless there is the rest of the frame.

The next thing about framing is that an image usually needs to have a "center of interest." That "center" is not the middle of the frame. The eye wants to rest on or near a frame's "optical center." The frame's optical centers will be four points, occuring, about one third down and to the right of the top and left, one third down and to the right of the top and left, and the same from the bottom of the picture. Since the eye will, naturally seek out these points, the subjects most important features should be near these points. The photographer should not "force" the eye to work, unless that is his intentions. The photographer can get help with this by "framing" the subject with visual cues, often in forground objects, such as building features, trees, other people, that highlight the subjects placement. Here is one example: Imagine the old west's image of a gun duel on the streets. A fighter can be "framed" by taking the picture through an open door, from the inside of a building. Or he may be framed by shooting him from behind the other fighter, between that man's hip and gun hand. Even more dramatically, if the picture is taken from between the boots of the opposing gunfighter.

There are LOTS of other "rules" of composition, all of which are made to be broken. But, an artist should be aware of these rules, which are based on centuries of psychological study of human behavior and emotion. It is best not to ignore these rules, but apply them knowledgably.

Answer 2

In photography, "framing" is using elements to literally frame the main subject. Look for W. Eugene Smith's famous photo "Walk To Paradise Garden" as an example.

You can use 2 trees, parts of a building, shrubs, etc.

Answer 3

When framing a picture, you have to take into account the background in reference to the subject. You can focus on the subject and let the background blur for example. Think of depth of field. Rule of thirds,,,,never heard of it but I will look it up.....what's wrong with Wikipedia? Don't understand that either. Your teacher is being contrary on purpose, don't let that bother you!

Answer 4

'Framing' simply means getting the subject oriented in the frame at the correct location for the shot.

Doug