What is a frame?

In photography and videography, a frame is the basic unit of visual information, capturing a single image through the camera lens in a brief moment. Framing determines what falls within the shooting area and what remains outside. It is a crucial aspect of visual arts and cinematography, influencing viewer perception and conveying various emotions and information.

The history of framing in video is intertwined with the evolution of cinematography and video recording. Initially, films were created based on photographs, and cameras were static, capturing large panoramic frames. Over time, technology advanced, leading to the development of moving cameras capable of capturing dynamic scenes.

The concept of framing evolved with the growth of image processing capabilities. Different framing types, such as close-ups, wide shots, and detail shots, were first used by directors to focus on specific elements or convey characters' emotions.

The film "Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station" by the Lumière Brothers

Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a fundamental composition technique in which the frame is divided into nine equal parts using two horizontal and two vertical lines. The main idea is to place key elements of the scene or objects along these lines or at their intersections. This contributes to a more harmonious and aesthetic arrangement of objects in the frame. Besides the rule of thirds, other composition techniques such as the golden ratio, symmetry, and asymmetry help create expressive and interesting visual compositions.

Open

Open

Explaining the Importance of Framing:

Framing is a crucial stage in creating a visual story. It determines how objects and elements in the frame will interact, the viewer's perspective, and the emotions or impressions the director wants to evoke. Proper framing helps focus the viewer's attention on important moments, making the shot more readable and effectively conveying the intended message.

For a picture to be visually appealing, the viewer needs to read it clearly and quickly... without being distracted by secondary elements or confusion due to the lack of visual hierarchy. How to do that? We need to apply composition techniques that are almost all related to how our brain perceives visual stimuli. That's why it's important to use the Gestalt psychology principle of "figure-ground relationship." You need to separate the shooting object from the background.

Example:
Photograph by Henri Cartier-Bresson - a great example of strong FGR 

We can also use the "principle of continuity" (Principle of Continuity), which allows the creation of beautiful arabesques with several objects. The gestalt principle of continuity asserts that we are more likely to focus on continuous and smooth lines (S-shaped or C-shaped lines), ignoring broken or jagged lines. This is because once our eyes start following something, they will continue to move in the given direction until they encounter another object or element.

Example:
Painting by Edgar Degas demonstrates an arabesque - a smooth curve

Concept of Dynamic Symmetry

In the context of framing in photography or film, "dynamic symmetry" can indicate preserving balance and harmony in an image or frame during movement or changing circumstances. This may involve aligning objects to create a sense of equilibrium in the frame even during dynamic events or motion.

Dynamic symmetry can manifest in the relationship between various objects, colors, textures, or compositional elements in the frame to create a balanced and expressive image. Utilizing this principle can help maintain the visual integrity and attractiveness of a photograph or video in conditions of changing scenes or motion.

Annie Leibovitz is undoubtedly a professional and one of the most prestigious contemporary photographers. Let's take any of her photographs and overlay lines according to the rule of thirds to check what is positioned at the intersections of active lines.

For instance, the fireplace is placed according to the rule of thirds (The rule of Thirds Grid lines up to the Mantel). We see that the line of the mantelpiece is positioned in full accordance with the rule of thirds. This means that Leibovitz, in this case, is not using the rule of thirds extensively. But wait, what about the poses of the models? How did she manage to create such a wonderful order in the frame with minimal use of horizontal and vertical active lines? Only three models in the bottom row are positioned according to the rule of thirds, but how are the rest arranged? What logic did Leibovitz use in placing hands, legs, dresses, and gazes? She did it deliberately. Now is the time to introduce the concept of dynamic symmetry.

Photo by Annie Leibovitz 

The rule of thirds is the basis of a balanced and interesting frame

We have discussed the law of symmetry, which requires finding balance in the image. But we haven't talked about how the rule of thirds forms unwanted negative space. If we place an essential object on one of the lines of thirds without considering the entire image, the other side of the composition becomes empty, resulting in undesirable negative space.

Negative space can be successfully used to create a sense of isolation or loneliness, but otherwise, it becomes a disadvantage for a novice.

Photographer Gregory Crewdson uses negative space to enhance the feeling of neglect.

Lighting

In the context of videography, lighting plays a critical role in creating the desired visual impression. There are several primary types of lighting used in videography depending on the conditions, style, and effects to be achieved:

Natural Light

Daylight: Uses external light sources like the sun or sky. Natural light can provide the frame with authenticity and warmth.

Artificial Light

Compact Bulbs: Electric bulbs, such as LEDs, compact fluorescents, and halogen bulbs, can be used for low-light conditions or to create specific effects.

Studio Lights: Studio equipment, like key lights, fill lights, and backlighting helps achieve professional-quality lighting.

Dynamic Lighting:

Moving LED Panels: LED panels with adjustable color temperature and brightness can be used to create dynamic effects and change lighting shades.

Mixed Lighting:

Combination of Light Sources:** By combining natural and artificial light, a balanced and natural-looking illumination can be achieved.

Contrast Lighting:

Utilizing Backlight: Backlighting can be used to highlight object contours and create a framing effect.

Warm and Cool Light:

Color Temperature: Adjustable color temperature allows the creation of warm or cool light tones, influencing the scene's atmosphere and mood.

Camera Angle

The camera angle in videography determines the point from which to capture a frame. Choosing the right camera angle can significantly impact the viewer's perception and emotional intensity of the scene. Some key aspects of camera angles in the context of videography include:

Camera Height:

High Angle: The camera is positioned high above the scene, looking down. This angle can create an impression of objectivity or, conversely, emphasize flawlessness or authority.

Low Angle: The camera is positioned low, providing objects on the scene with grandeur and massiveness. This can create a more dynamic and emotionally intense effect.

Camera Tilt:

Horizontal Tilt: Depending on the camera tilt angle, horizontal lines can be emphasized, creating a sense of stability or highlighting horizontal movement.

Vertical Tilt: A high or low tilt can affect the perception of space, creating effects of tension, authority, or flawlessness.

Perspective:

Foreground: Using the foreground can create a sense of depth and naturalness, drawing the viewer's attention to specific elements of the scene.

Background: Focusing on the background can add details and context to the scene or evoke specific emotions.

Camera Dynamics:

Camera Movement: Camera movement can create an impression of dynamics and tension. This includes panning, tracking, zooming, and other techniques.

These considerations in lighting and camera angles are crucial for videographers to effectively convey the intended visual narrative and emotional impact in their work.

Lenses

Exploring the Use of Different Lenses to Achieve Various Framing Effects
The use of different lenses in videography is a powerful tool for creating various effects and impressions in a video project. The diversity of lenses provides the ability to alter perspectives, depth of field, field of view, and other parameters. Below, we will examine some typical lenses and their applications:

Wide-Angle Lens:

Perspective Effect: Wide-angle lenses create a sense of space by making foreground objects larger and distant ones smaller.

Dynamic Range: Using a wide-angle lens during camera movement allows for the creation of dynamic and impressive scenes.

Large-Aperture Lens (e.g., f/1.4):

Background Blur: Lenses with a large aperture create a shallow depth of field, allowing the foreground object to stand out while blurring the background.

Low Light Performance: They are also effective in low-light conditions, providing bright and clear images.

Telephoto Lens:

Magnification: Telephoto lenses compress space, giving the impression of tightness and concentration on the subject.

Distant Scenes: They are ideal for capturing distant scenes, such as landscapes or faraway objects.

Macro Lens:

Macro Photography: Macro lenses are designed for capturing very small objects, allowing for detailed exploration of textures and small details.

Close-Up Effect: They also enable the creation of effects that simulate a close-up view of objects.

Zoom Lens:

Variable Field of View: Zoom lenses provide the ability to instantly change the field of view, which is particularly useful when shooting moving objects or changing the composition.

Fisheye Lens:

Extreme Field of View: Fisheye lenses have an extreme field of view, creating rounded, distorted images. This can be used for creative effects and unconventional perspectives.

Using different lenses allows cinematographers and videographers to creatively experiment and achieve various visual effects depending on their goals and intentions.

 Check out an example of macro lens work with Laowa