Project 52, Week 21, Fill the Frame

This week is about eliminating distracting elements in the environment by "filling the frame" with the main subject.  (Think of the frame as the edges of the scene or photograph.) 

There are three ways to "fill the frame"

1. Use a telephoto or zoom lens.
2. Get closer to your subject.
3. Crop the photo in post-production

Things to consider:

• It is one of the quickest and easiest ways to simplify  your photograph.
• Consider the Rule of Thirds  when composing your photo.  For example: when composing portraits to fill the frame, the eyes should be along/near the upper horizontal line with one eye at the intersection of a vertical and horizontal line. 
• "Filling the frame" isn't just for portraits of people and pets.
• It doesn't necessarily mean completely filling the frame with the subject's head.  Sometimes you will want to include supporting elements.  Sometimes the face isn't the most interesting part of the subject.
• Avoid the "I can't see the tree for the forest" syndrome.  For example, a photo of some building may look like an ordinary, every day scene, but by zooming in on an interesting architectural element, filling the frame with that element, and excluding the ordinary, you can get that "Wow!" shot. 
• Don't take a close-up just to be taking a close-up.  Sometimes a wide angle view tells the story better.  For example, "I can't see the forest for the tree"  - are you concentrating so hard on one element that you're missing the real story in the whole scene?
• Watch the enviroment when stepping closer or stepping back.  That next step might be a long way down if you're standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon.

Suggested Readings and Examples:

1. Fill the Frame 1.5 minute Youtube video by playthattv
2. Fill the Frame from Family Travel Photos; short article with good examples geared toward the typical family photographer.
3. Fill the Frame by Peter K Burian from BetterPhotoJim; short article with good tips
4. Filling the Frame from Fodors.com/Travel Photography; very short article with three examples
5. Portrait Tip: Don't Fill the Frame by Darren Rouse from Digital Photography School; short article for those who don't want to follow the rules