INTRODUCTION TO ASSIGNMENT
The theme for this task is Natural Framing. Natural framing creates a photograph in a photograph by using physical natural frames to create a focal point on purpose. Since we are in the middle of a lockdown, I used items in my home to help make the frames. There are no limits to what I can use in the photos, once they are natural. This means that I can't edit in an item to frame a subject in the image. I also researched an artist who used natural framing often in their photographs. I also looked deeper into natural framing, like its origin and what helps create a natural frame, and looked back on the images I took.
WHAT IS NATURAL FRAMING IN PHOTOGRAPHY
Natural framing is creating an image within an image. Using physical and natural frames as a compositional element makes an intentional focal point and creates intention and narrative. In this case, the word 'natural' refers to natural frames rather than natural plant subjects of nature. That could be tree branches, windows, shadows, walls and roads are a few that can be used as a frame.
Natural framing in photography can be overlooked as a compositional technique at times. But you can add focus points and depth to your images by taking advantage of it. Photography is filled will techniques used to help with composition and some focus on colour, contrast, shape or shadow.
REASONS WHY THIS TYPE OF FRAMING CAN BE USEFUL
Saves Time in Composing Shots
Composing a shot can sometimes be challenging since your ideas don't always go as planned and often the safest spot to take the image is hard to find. But, if you can find a natural frame that is already in place, then all you need to do is set up the camera and take the photo. Even though you need to figure out how you are going to set up the camera, the composition aspect is already done.
Gives a Better Sense of Place
Even though the elements used to frame the subject may not be the focus of the image, they add to the scene and the photo's feeling. Often not, some images may be boring without these elements adding interest to them.
In the image to the left, the house is in focus, but it isn't that interesting, but the cherry blossoms surrounding it helps add interest which makes the photo work.
Help Fill the Frame
Opened space in a frame can sometimes become a distraction, and it's important to fill in that space. It's not always easy to do, but using natural framing can help with this problem.
In the photograph to the right, the leaves of the trees and bushes around the waterfall fills the space.
ARTIST RESEARCH
Known as a visionary for street photography, Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French photographer and filmmaker. Of the 20th century, his dramatic black and white images are one of the most iconic. Exploring his notion of photography as a candid medium, Bresson is probably best known for his 1952 book The Definitive Movement. Over the next decades, he travelled around the world taking photos in Mexico, Africa and Europe. Bresson help create the cooperative agency Magnum Photos with William Vandiver, David Seymour, Robert Capa and Geroge Rodger in 1947and in 1981 he was awarded the Grand Prix National de la Photographie along with the Hasselblad Award the next year. At the age of 95, he passed away on August 3, 2004, in France. The Los Angeles Country Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art in New York and others, hold his images in collections.
In this image, a man is standing in the street. You can also see from the background; it looks like he is near the city.
The man may not be in the centre of the image, but the way the trees frame him to make it appear that way. The leading lines created by the top and bottom of the trees cause your eyes to move in the frame. The juxtaposition of the white ground to the guy's black outfit is eye-catching.
I think that Bresson took this image on one of his days out walking. Bresson was a street photographer that took candid photos of people in a natural habitat. Judging by the way the man is dressed and his surroundings, this image was most likely taken in the 1930s.
For this task, Natural Framing is the theme. By using his surroundings, what people are wearing and taking the images in black and white, he maximises the photos' effectiveness.
I like the tone and lighting of the image. The composition and framing are also nice.
Henri Cartier-Bresson uses tone, lines, framing, the rule of thirds and composition all to their advantages. He utilises this location and subjects to create attractive and funny images. Each photo has its unique style and effect to it.
FINAL IMAGES
EVALUATION OF FINAL IMAGES
For this task, I used elements around my home to help create images with natural framing. I researched a photographer know for using this framing to enhance his images. I also looked into what was natural framing to get a better idea of the task.
I like the way I used multiple elements to frame my subject gave my images verity. Using lighting, shadows, colour, plants and day to day ideas helped elevate the photographs. I think I was very creative in taking some images in colour and others in black and white.
When I wanted to take and image in black and white, I used the monochrome setting so that I couldn't change my mind later. This helped me see how much my decision-making skills have improved.
TASK EVALUATION
Natural framing was the theme for this task. Using the shapes, colours, and or textures of objects around me, I used them to draw attention to my images' main subject. I also used the lack of colour (taking the photos in black and white) to strengthen the photographs. Visualising an idea before I took it is a skill that I improved on while doing this task.
Henri Cartier-Bresson was the photographer I chose to research for this task. While his images didn't influence my pictures, it did give me an idea of how I could have taken my photos if I wasn't in lockdown. I think my composition skills shone through the images. I didn't have a problem while taking the photos. Once I had an idea of the task, ideas came to me, and the process went smoothly. I don't think I would change anything if I could retake the photographs.
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