Same weapon, different effects!
Let’s investigate. One cow, two cows . . .
The other day I took a picture of a cow. The picture that I took (on the left) was nice but not super interesting. So I used the frame-shifting weapon to take another picture with a little more going on!
This time, the issue was not getting rid of an intruding element.
Let’s look at this a little closer!
- 1. How did I move my camera to get from the first frame to the second one?
- 2. How did this framing change help me?
1. The camera was moved to the left.
2. Changing the frame allowed me to add another cow to the picture.
Strategy. Paring down or adding more?
So it looks like our secret weapon has more than one trick up its sleeve! It is very useful for making those pesky intruders disappear from our photos, and it is also good for adding a subject to the picture.
Move the frame toward a subject you like to bring it into your picture!
Here I tilted my camera downward so that I could add this rusty chain and the strip of orange-colored earth to my picture. Now my photo is even richer and more colorful!
Picture quest. In addition to the starring subject
Here is your new assignment.
- 1. Find a subject that interests you and frame it.
- 2. Now notice the things that are next to your subject but are outside of the frame. Which of them would you like to add to your picture?
- 3. Move your camera toward the new element to add it to the frame. Are you able to do that without losing your starring subject? It’s not always easy, remember, because some frames are impossible! But don’t worry, we will soon find another secret weapon that will make EVERY frame possible!
So how is your secret mission going? Do you feel yourself becoming a true photography adventurer, page by page?
We are still only at the very beginning of this quest, and yet, I see that you have already collected a number of pieces of evidence, developed some very intelligent strategies, and even found a secret weapon. Wow! What a fantastic start! Congratulations.
As you have been able to see for yourself, shifting the camera is a very powerful weapon. With that weapon, framing becomes child’s play! Are you ready for new challenges? I am counting on you to keep cutting through to the heart of the mystery of framing and photography, wisely and with enthusiasm!