Framing Tells Half The Story

I was late to a live acoustic music show at a little coffee shop, and I found a seat somewhat removed from the other patrons and the band.  During the performance, I happened to glance over to my left, and that's when I saw her, absentmindedly playing with her hair, soaking in the music, with the late afternoon light from the window subtly illuminating her from behind.  Instantly smitten, I turned my lens towards her, carefully composed the shot and clicked.

I am a big fan of shooting from the hip, but for this photo, I was very intentional about the way I arranged the visual elements of the image.  I wanted the viewer to know that I was at a distance from the subject, that most likely she was a stranger, and by framing the shot within an actual environmental border (the dark outline of the wall on the left, the top of a chair below, and the gentleman on the right), there is a sense that I, the photographer, am looking in from the outside.

In post-processing, I actually considered cropping out the dark borders to zoom in more on the subject.  Doing so, however, didn't tell the story I wanted to convey--namely, that this was one of those random encounters with beauty that I often observe admiringly from a distance, hesitant to get any closer for fear that detection of my presence would chase the moment away.  I was glad that I composed the shot as intentionally as I did, because in this case, the framing really does tell half the story, at least for me.

How have you used framing to tell your story?  Have you ever framed your subjects in borders already present in the environment?  Please share with us your images and any tips you may have for framing.

..........

And come back tomorrow when we announce the new word for our One Word Project for August!

Comments

[sarah]

It's a beautiful picture, perfectly composed (although what is that on the right? ;-)) The picture does raise a question for me that I hope you don't mind me asking, because I've been pondering it in relation to my own website too - is it okay to take photos of strangers and to post them on public websites? I don't know the background for your picture - perhaps she was not a stranger to you, perhaps you had her permission. It's really just a general question inspired by what you wrote here. I hope you aren't offended by it.

[Marcie]

Altho not totally conscious - I often use the natural framing of the image to tell the story:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1249

[cigi]

Lovely photo and a great post! I framed this shot into a dress-store window with the intention of layering images. Even so, my favorite element of the photo (the reflection of the man walking into the frame and bringing more of the street with him) was a happy accident: http://instamaticgratification.wordpress.com/2010/05/26/146365/

[elk]

sarah .. it is a spellbinding photo..i am glad you told the story behind it..i relish the frames on the wall..


here I am standing in the doorway of my daughters empty but soon to be dorm room...tried to capture the feel of the light ..and how I was feeling as well..a moment of relization :

http://redorgrayblackandwhite.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-n-t-e-r-i-m.html

[Jen at Cabin Fever]

I've used framing many times. It's very appropriate in many situations, just like this one. One very important aspect of photo composition people shouldn't forget!

...and my new August photo assignment has just been posted! You could definitely incorporate framing into your submission if you'd like :)

http://www.cabinfeververmont.com/p/photography-contests_4966.html

[mama-pan | mary frances]

I love this shot. the tension between the different actual + implied (window frames) light sources is really evocative.

it's not particularly original to use columns as framing, but here is one where I do that. I was playing with the off-center composition and the unbalanced feeling it might suggest....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/98076237@N00/4836756280/

[Kelly]

I was in Ocean City, Maryland, and this little girl was waiting delightedly for her balloon animal. The natural frame around her from the other people really made her the center of attention. I love the look on her face.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellysoji/3594271176

[Sarah - Ji]

Hi, Sarah (Comment #1)! To answer your question about taking photos of strangers, here is an answer: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.05/start.html?pg=10

I think everyone in the room was aware of my camera. This was actually a benefit for a local photographer who was diagnosed with cancer, and he was there taking photos of everyone, so that raised my comfort level as well. There are situations in which I don't take out my camera, but it's usually based on a gut feeling. Some people ask strangers permission before or after they take the photo. If you do that, I'd go for after as once you've asked permission, it will be hard to get a candid shot of them.

Hope that helps!

[Michel]

I love this post. I love the expression, and how engrossed in the music she is. I wonder how much more I love this shot after hearing the story. but I also liked the story I was telling myself.

I too have a thing for shooting strangers in coffee shops;
I saw these girls early one morning and made up an elaborate story in my head about their relationship. When I uploaded the photos - I saw her reflection and thought that told enough of the story - so I cropped her out in post.
http://www.wishfulthinkingblog.com/wishful-thinking/2010/2/23/coffeeshop-peek.html

This was at the same cafe - a bit more abstract.
http://www.wishfulthinkingblog.com/wishful-thinking/2010/2/25/diner-creep.html

I use my focus lock button all the time to be able to crop a scene how I want.

[Stephanie]

I'm usually very conscious of framing because I'm bad with Photoshop and I prefer to limit my post-processing needs. I took this photo a few years ago, in NYC, on film. I was standing on the bridge over the lake and saw this couple on a sweet romantic boat ride. I wanted to get their picture but I didn't want the distraction of everyone else on the lake. I think I found a pretty good solution. I was able to isolate them on the lake while still maintaining the distant point of view.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniecourt/4849449715/ (The quality isn't that great because of the scan.)

[Puna]

It's a beautiful shot. Kind of haunting...

[Chelsea C]

I love to shoot through windows and doors with the primary light source coming from outside bordered with inside darkness. This photo was taken at a resort in Cabo San Lucas:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelscham/4770466272/in/set-72157624554517038/

[Tracy]

I adore this photo and love what you had to say about framing. i don't have a good example of this, but have mentally filed this away to use in the future!

[Olaf]

Liking looking through these! I'll share this little goody. I don't think it's the best photo, but it was definitely fun to play with the in-camera environmental framing. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1332811&l=45abcc626c&id=1002303788

You know what, I'm going to conciously think about using the environment as a frame more. Thanks for making me think about this :)