Vacation Photography Tips for Beginners: Frame It Up

Framing is the photography technique that draws attention to the subject of your image by blocking other parts with something in the scene. A well framed image can offer a sense of depth and layers, give your picture context, intrigue your viewer, and highlight your main subject. Even the most inexperienced photographer can improve images by taking a moment to stage the photo and set the frame.

One Spot Framed Three Ways
1) Eliminate the clutter. If you are taking a shooting people around a dinner table, at a pool or in room be sure to remove the clutter. Stage your picture so that only things you want to shoot are in your frame. You can even get your subjects to help by leaving their day packs with you, moving over a foot to hide a garbage can or other eye sore, making sure garbage or dirty plates aren't in the shot, and even being aware of the location other guests around you.

2) Take your time to find the best place the frame for your subjects. It can help to use the "rule of thirds". By dividing your frame into nine sections and placing your subjects at the intersection of the lines, it can add interest to a shot. Many cameras today have a "rule of thirds" grid that you can turn on to help you frame up a shot.

Get Close Up On Details
3) Get in on it. Though it's nice to have an overall landscape shot, some of the most interesting photographs are up close and personal. Even today's most basic point and shoot cameras have a macro setting to help you focus while making the most of Disney's legendary details.

4) Experiment with angle for new pictures of a routine subject. We see the world at eye level, changing where your eye is can add some spark to a subject that you've shot many times before. Get low to the ground with your camera pointing up, or step up on a bench and shoot down. Changing your point a view even a foot can make a huge difference.

Experiment and Have Fun With Your Frames
5) Get the people away from the buildings! If you want to shoot a large attraction or building with people in the shot, there's no need for them to stand right against it. By moving them closer to the camera with the building in the background, you can capture the point of interest without losing your subject. This trick also helps to create depth in a shot.

Do you usually take a little time to frame up your shots? Leave a comment and let us know your best tips for keeping your Disney photographs unique!