Add Impact and Depth to Portraits by Framing Your Subjects with Natural or Man-Made Objects

©Andrea Sete

One simple method of adding impact to portraits is to frame your subjects with natural or man-made objects. The “frame” you use can be something as simple as a window, doorway, arch, or the overhanging branches of a tree.

The idea is to add depth to your shot, draw the viewer’s attention to your main subject, and perhaps even tell a story with regard to where the image was taken.

The photographs you see here were submitted recently for Instagram’s Weekend Hashtag Project #WHPframeit

 

A photo posted by Instagram (@instagram) on

Every week Instagram announces a theme for the coming weekend, and the images you see here are a few of those submitted for the framing theme, illustrating how framing can greatly enhance your people pictures. This technique also works great for photographs other than portraits.

 

A photo posted by Vitalik (@tribal.cat) on

When selecting a framing object try to pick one that adds context to your photo. And remember, it’s not necessary that the frame completely surrounds your subject. Often, a more subtle approach is all you need.

If you can’t find an appropriate framing object in your location, often the use of leading lines can serve the same purpose of isolating your subject from an extraneous background.

Take a look at some of the other interesting images on Instagram’s #WHPframeit page to get a few more ideas. And if you are an Instagram follower, keep your eyes peeled for their weekly post announcing their latest theme. And be sure to take a look at Shutterbug's recently updated Instagram page, it's getting a lot of attention.

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