Framing thought

Exactly how a subject is framed can have a really big effect on the emotional impact of an image.

Here the frame or edge appears to be stopping the glass from sliding out of the image space altogether. Although the diagonal emphasis makes the shot look a little odd the glass looks as if it is being supported. If on the other hand some space had been left around the top right edge of the glass the image would have caused a certain amount of tension in the viewer as the glass would look as if it were about to fall.

Of course, it is the artist’s decision whether they want to create a slight feeling of unease or whether they want the viewer to be relaxed. The important thing to remember is that it should be a choice that the artist makes one way or the other.

The take home message here really is don’t just center your chosen subject and click the shutter – think about the relationship between the subject and frame and about how that can be used to impact the viewer.