FRAME WITHIN A FRAME

Mike Harris shows you how to capture eye-catching compositions by seeking out frames within frames

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30 MINS

A frame within a frame is a popular compositional technique that involves framing the main subject of a photo with a natural or man-made object – this could be anything from a window or doorway to an avenue of trees or a row of bushes.

The frame doesn’t need to completely surround your subject, but it should be prominent enough to guide the viewer’s eye straight to the focal point. Frames are a great way to simplify overly busy scenes, or obscure unattractive or boring areas of your images. Our photograph of Bath Abbey above is a good example. The grand building is a beautiful architectural subject, but its size means that it cuts a lonely figure as it protrudes high above everything else in the city, which makes it difficult to compose.

Thankfully a nearby archway allowed us to frame the magnificent structure, and create a much more balanced and interesting composition. The hard part is inevitably finding a suitable frame, particularly if you already have a subject in mind. However, you can search for frames whenever you’re out and about, even if you don’t have your camera with you.