Nothing tricky about this one! Just like it sounds, framing uses objects as a border or edge around the main subject. This technique draws the viewer’s attention towards that area of the shot (similar to showing off our favorite printed photographs by encasing them in wooden frames). Round, rectangular, and square frames all work equally well, as do partial frames—where an object only extends partway around the subject.
In food photography, plates and bowls act as natural frames, as well as placemats and wire cooling racks. Other foods can also be frames, like spaghetti noodles spilling out from underneath a Bolognese sauce or sprinkles around the edge of a sugar cookie. I’ve also used flowers or paper bags, such as the blue one framing the popcorn below.
Now it’s your turn to practice framing! Feel free to post any questions, comments, or tips in the comments section below!
I’m enjoying your photography tips each Friday. That’s something I’ve had little time to focus on, and I really need the information. Thanks so much!
My pleasure! I’m so glad to hear that you’re enjoying the series. It’s really rewarding to see improvements in your own photography!
Love the framing tutorial. Your photos are really nice.
Thank you! It’s taken a lot of time and patience to get my photos to where they are now, so that means a lot. 🙂
Thanks, this is one that I haven’t really thought about, good to know!
You’re welcome! There’s a lot of little things that we do intuitively, but we don’t always put a name like “framing” to them. Hope you get some use out of this technique!