Objective: To see how the relationship between the subject placement in the frame and the surrounding space effects the composition of the final image. Take one image without much thought to the composition, then three more placing the subject in different areas of the frame to see what effect this has on the overall image.
Prior knowledge: Placing the subject within certain areas of the frame can have a major impact to what the photographer is trying to convey. Also when we look at the picture frame or photograph we tend to scan in a certain way, as mentioned in the book The Photographers Eye, by Michael Freeman. First we tend to look from the centre of the image, then scan left and up and around again to the right and downwards, finally ending back in the centre of the image. At some stage either consciously or unconsciously we look in to the corners of the frame.
Preparation: I wanted to find an image which had no major distractons. I took some photos of my car with a grassy background, but the cityscape of Dubai was too visible in the back ground. I then came across a seagull on the top of a building and with the clear blue sky made a suitable subject for this exercise.
Process:
[41]
1/800@f2.8, ISO 100 200mm
First image taken without too much thought to overall composition or subject placement. Seagull is placed almost on the right third, but is a little too central and not intersecting either top or bottom third intersections.
[42]
1/800 sec@f2.8, ISO 100 200mm
While still allowing the seagull to look into the open space, the lack of space above the seagulls head makes the image appear cramped.
[43]
1/800 sec@f2.8, ISO 100 200mm
Now the seagull has plenty of space above its head unlike image [42], but while taking another shot before it has chance to look right, again the image is out of context as we want to bird to look to the right into the images open space.
[44]
1/800 sec@f2.8, ISO 100 200mm
Similar to image [43] the seagull is too close to the edge of the frame and has nothing to look into, giving a feeling of unbalance and a closed in feel. A simple turn of the head in relation to the framing would have worked better.
[45]
1/800 sec@f2.8, ISO 100 200mm
Dead centre is deadly!! A common phrase within the photographic community. Although the wall helps to break up the elements of the composition somewhat, the main object in this case is the seagull. If applying the basic rule of thirds to this picture no part of the image lies within any of the third intersections.
[46]
1/800 sec@f.2.8, ISO 100 200mm
This is actually a crop of image [45]. By placing the seagull (in fact its eyes) into the top right third and allowing it to look into the image, balance is assured. The eye can now move freely around the frame, again from centre to left then around to the bottom right and back again, bringing us back to the point of focus which is the seagulls eyes.
Conclusion: The intention of an image is based on the positioning of the subject in the frame or basic composition. Placing the subject too close to an edge can often result in an unbalanced image, but depending on the subject this can also lead to an increase in the dynamics of the photo. A moving subject such as a car or runner with no space in front of the subject to move into can feel claustrophobic.
Photographs are about composition. The photographer needs to compose an image as opposed to just using a point and shoot method. Framing is a process of creating composition for any desired effect. The ‘rule of thirds’ is an important tool to master, but having said that, these rules can often be broken with pleasing results.
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