Off-the-Wall Guide for Fantastic Framing

I got this fun idea from my Photojoto newsletter ... I think I'll give it a try!

Our Off-the-Wall Guide for Fantastic Framing
(via reader Michael Galpert)

Find a frame

Any frame will do for this project. We found tons of great options at our local thrift store. And you can always look around online, where options abound. You want it to be small enough to fit in the shot if you hold it out at arms length in front of your camera, and big enough to fit a friend’s face. We found a typical friend’s face to fit nicely in an 8×10 frame.

Take it out on the town

Simply hold the frame out in front of your camera or have a passing stranger hold the frame up for you. A friendly grin and a polite “please,” will convince just about anyone to hold up a frame for a minute. Not sure who to ask? We’ve found that a person with a camera around their neck is usually more than willing to do a favor for a fellow photographer.

Frame your Friends

Once your arm gets tired from holding your frame out in front of the camera, pass the frame around to friends and neighbors and let them do the heavy lifting. They can frame themselves, frame each other, frame the dog. Play a quick game of how-many-friendly-faces-fit-in-one-frame?

Think outside the box

Box, Frame, same idea. Some people will assume that if they’re not behind the frame, their not in your shot. The area outside of the frame can be even more interesting than what’s in it. Catch your friends’ true reactions to your photographic antics.

Technical Tips:

FlashIf you’re shooting a bright scene, but you’re standing in the shade, use the flash to brighten up the frame.

Focus CarefullyMake sure to focus on your subject before you hold the frame in the shot. If you’re using auto focus your lens might focus on the frame and not the intended subject.