PART EIGHT Framing and composing the shots - 3.

CONTENT

• Framing devices.
• Dealing with the background.

Framing devices.

Framing devices can be used to increase the sense of depth and should be used whenever possible for scenic views.

• Doors, windows, arches and certain architectural features become a frame within a frame, but use them with care. See Fig’s 11a and 11b.
• Partial framing of indoor shots with pieces of furniture or a door placed near the side of the frame is effective. With outdoor scenery, sometimes place parts of buildings extending a small amount into the side of the frame. If trees or bushes are close, have parts of them line the sides of the frame. Fig’s 11c, 11d.
• Nearby overhanging branches or a trellis can line the top edge of the frame. Willow trees are ideal for this. See Fig’s 11f and 11g.
• Nearby reeds on a lake or river bank are good for lining the bottom edge of the frame. See Fig. 11h.
• Handrails of bridges or verandahs also serve the purpose.

Fig. 11a SAN GIMIGNANO ITALY	Fig. 11b SAN GIMIGNANO ITALY	Fig. 11c PONTE FABRICO ROME, ITALY
Fig. 11d LAKE GRASMERE ENGLAND	Fig 11e BRISBANE AUSTRALIA	Fig. 11f MONET’S GARDEN FRANCE

Fig. 11g MONET’S GARDEN FRANCE	Fig. 11h LAKE GRASMERE ENGLAND

Dealing with the background.

This is also important when taking shots of people. When you move the video camera back and then zoom in a bit to compensate, the background objects become larger. Alternatively, when you move the video camera closer, the background objects become smaller. See Fig’s 12a and 12b.

Fig. 12a CAMERA IS CLOSE background is small	Fig. 12b CAMERA IS MOVED BACK background is large

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© copyright Arthur Bullock, 2007

Page updated on 21 March 2008

Authors' views are not necessarily those of The Institute of Amateur Cinematographers

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