MASTERCLASS ADD CREATIVITY TO YOUR IMAGES USING A FRAME WITHIN A FRAME

Frame within a frame photography is a creative technique that you can add to your images across a variety of photographic genres.

- Jo Plumridge

In this article I'll look at what the technique is and how you can best employ it to add some creativity to your images.

WHAT IS FRAME WITHIN A FRAME PHOTOGRAPHY?

Frame within a frame is a fairly literal composition technique. The idea is that you frame your subject with something else positioned within your scene. The second frame refers to the frame provided by the edge of your photograph.

There's no set rule as to the shape of your frame. Rectangular frames are popular (think doors and windows), but you can experiment with squares, ovals even hexagons and octagons! You can make a frame with a huge variety of found objects, or props that you've provided. The only rule is that there should be a clear border and frame around your subject.

You might also hear frame within a frame described as sub-frame. The sub-frame refers to the second frame added inside the frame of the photograph.

WHY SHOULD YOU USE THE FRAME WITHIN A FRAME TECHNIQUE?

This useful technique has a variety of reasons to use it. These include:

DIRECTING A VIEWER'S EYE

A strong photograph is one that directs a viewer's eye into the image and towards a particular part of the shot (your subject). Using a frame around your subject is a simple way to draw attention to that area of the shot.

Remember that it's not just the obvious framing that works here (e.g. using an archway to frame a building behind it). You can use this technique in portraiture - perhaps get your model to wear a coat with a hood and use that hood to 'frame' their face and, in particular, eyes.

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