Lesson #5: Framing Your Subjects

Lesson #5 Framing your subjects.

One of the most important things to consider when taking a photo is where to place your subject in the frame. The position of your subject determines the overall balance of your composition and it can make the difference between an interesting picture and a boring picture.

The easist rule to follow is to keep the subject out of the center. To help us easily find what we need in life, the human visual system is geared towards balance. While this works for many areas of life, photographs with perfect order tend to be very static and uninteresting. They almost appear too balanced, because the world itself is filled with randomness and asymmetry. By placing your subjects off center and at random points in the frame, you can create images that are more dynamic and appealing, and thus, more natural. Images with more random compostion generally evoke a stronger visual response from the viewer.

One effective method for determining subject placement is to use the "Rule of Thirds." The rule states that if you divide the frame of your image into three equal sections both vertically and horizontally, you create four lines and four points at which these lines intersect. By placing important elements of your compositon along lines and on these intersections, you create images that reflect the natural assymetry of the world. While you don't have to follow the rule to a "T" with every shot, become familiar with the Rule of Thirds and see how it can help you create stronger images.