Session Two: Framing

There are a lot of differences between portraits and mug shots. One big one is the flexibility the photographer has in deciding what is in view. This can be looked at in two ways: the size of the subject and its placement in the viewfinder. In this second demonstration we worked with a group of Gerber Daisies from Buckets. We began with a review of Session One, and then selected a couple of spaces in which to explore framing our subjects.

We looked at four different framing options: the Close-up, the Classic Portrait, the Still Life and the Landscape (in this case the Galleryscape). We framed daisies with their petals reaching out of view, as singles and groups, and with and without the vase and windowsill. We also used various backgrounds to look for ways of complimenting the blossoms in symmetry, color and space.

The next question, and the topic of the next demonstration, is, “What do we want in focus?” This will inform future decisions about zoom, lighting, and whether to tripod or not.