Composition: Part IV Isolating the Subject
© Wendy Folse
Isolating the Subject
One of the most important points to consider in composition is isolating the subject so that it becomes apparent to the viewer what the photographer is trying to show. There are many ways to isolate the subject and in this article, we will cover three of them, framing the subject, selective focus, and depth of field.The main purpose for isolating the subject is to make it stand out from the background and to direct the viewer's eye to the center of attention, not necessarily the center of the photo.
Framing the subject
The first choice in deciding how to frame the subject in the viewfinder is to decide whether you want a horizontal or vertical composition. In a previous article we discussed the merits of both. The choice is up to the photographer, but ultimately the frame choice should compliment the subject. A skyline looks best in horizontal, while a single tall building looks best in a vertical.The next consideration is where we get a little more creativeand where we start to make choices, that brings our photography to a new level. This step requires us to think a little and to scout around for things that we can use to frame our subject in order to direct the viewers eye towards the main point of interest. Framing devices help to keep the subject contained within the photo.
A photographer's choice is limited only by his imagination and skill when choosing a framing element. Maybe it is a palm tree in the foreground that gracefully wraps around the beach in the distance. Perhaps, it is the outline of a window that the viewer looks through to the fields beyond. Nothing says, "we're at a football game" like a shot of the crowd framed by the upright goal post. Or how about the often overused classic of a bride looking at her reflection in a mirror. This is a technique called a frame within a frame.
Even a bare white wall can frame the subject by isolating it when the only element surrounding the subject is the white wall. This is the same concept as a photographer using a backdrop. The purpose for the backdrop is to in a way frame the subject with a continuous pattern, color, or tone.
