The Rule of Thirds has a framing element to it, but there are other ways of additionally framing your subject using depth of field, color, structures, motion, and so on. Framing can often times also add elements to the story you’re trying to tell through your photography, and gives the viewer something more to think about that, “oh. that’s a nice subject.” The following photos illustrate different methods of framing a subject. To view full size images, click on the thumbnail.
In the image on the left, playgrounds are perfect for framing kids – especially when you can gain other angles and perspectives. In the second image, Coach stands out primarily from his light colored shirt surrounded by the team in darker shirts. The image of the trees uses Depth of Field. This creates an uncluttered background, but also creates a soft frame for your object to stand out. The flag blew away from the side of the building just enough to reveal a window, and provided an unique frame for the window. People – especially those in motion, or those in focus as a result of DOF – provide suitable frames for the subject as demonstrated in the photo of the Veterans, and of the Baseball pitcher. Finally, though we often want the foreground object to be in focus, the foreground can often be used to frame distant subjects.
