Are your pictures boring and uninteresting? Do they lack scale and depth? You need to use frames!

Frames?

No, not like picture frames for a painting, but actual frames inside your image. A frame could be anything, and doesn't need to be complete. Frames are often only two sided at rough right angles, an example of this is the trunk and a straight branch from a tree. Frames, typically are on the edges of pictures and can be all four sides. Try and be creative and see frames that others wouldn't think of.

Making Frames Work For You

Some things to take into account are that you need to make sure the frame doesn't hold your picture down and make the elements in it seem enclosed and shut in. Basically when taking pictures, keep in mind that they need a few elements to make them interesting and pleasing. For a balanced composition with a frame in one side, it helps to have some sort of object opposite it to balance out the image. Framing is especially effective against the sky. The sky is very bright, so any background object will become silhouetted against the bright sky which is very effective. Make some interesting shaped frames for extra effect and deeper meaning in your picture.

Training Your Eye

When out taking pictures, look out for frames and experiment with them, what works, what doesn't and what could work. Also, even when you don't have a camera, keep an eye out for nice frames. Training your eye to spot frames and balancing out compositions is important to taking those perfect shots.

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Visit Giles Thompson at http://photographertips.net