Texture and Framing

Credit goes to Amber Fox of the Facebook group High School Photography Educators for the lesson idea, resources and WAGOLL images.

Texture

Today we are going to talk about texture and how it can evoke emotion. Texture can be used to bring about all sorts of emotions from the viewer.

Calm = soft and gentle
Courage and power = solid
Tranquil = fluid
Angry = spiky and rough
Time passed by = weathered and worn

Texture is a tool that artist can use to evoke emotion. How do photographers use it then? We are going to photograph it. Artists will use a texture that is similar to the subject in order to enhance it, like a baby surrounded by soft blankets. Or use textures that contrast the emotions as they lay against each other to create an interesting juxtaposition and for the subject to pop. Be mindful of light. Side light enhances textures. Front light flattens it.

Watch this YouTube video which explains this in more detail:

You will create two collages of 9 photographs. One capturing rough textures and one capturing smooth textures:

Rough: course, bumpy, dry, flat, scaly, glossy, sandy, hairy, hard, prickly, sharp, sticky
Smooth: fine, slick, wet, wrinkled, silky, matte, slimy, bald, soft, velvety, dull, slippery

Watch these YouTube videos which show you how to do this: Phone collage, PicCollage app.

All photos on your grid, should be shot with a tight composition, illustrating how when you zoom in and get close & fill your frame, you get an image where the texture falls off the frame in every direction.
Your photos MUST be edited to enhance the texture. Play with the tools: tune image, details, crop, and especially HDR scape. Watch this YouTube video showing you how to use the free Snapseed app to edit.
Go back to Google classroom and turn in your two collages of 9 photographs (you can use PicCollage or your phone to create the collage).

WAGOLL

Below is an example of the collage of photographs you will create following this lesson:

Rough

Smooth

Finding Natural Frames

By being aware of all elements in the scene, a photographer can adjust their perspective to use potentially distracting objects as natural frames. Doorways, graffiti, branches, rock formations, etc. can all be used to frame a subject resulting in a creative images that brings additional focus to the subject.

Today you are going to look for frames or bring your own objects to shoot through. With practice, you’ll notice natural framing elements quickly and improve your photography composition. Framing your subjects will give your subjects added appeal and show your audience what you want them to see.

The role of any rule of composition is to draw the eye into a photograph. Framing refers to using elements of a scene to create a frame within your frame. For example, you might shoot through a doorway, pulled back curtains, branches, fences, tunnels, or arches to highlight your subject. Adding a focal point through framing shows a viewer exactly where to look. Aside from directing attention, the use of framing gives a photo context.

Foreground elements around your subject, for example, add to the story told by your image. A frame formed by branches or flowers indicates that the photo was taken in a forest or garden. Books surrounding the edges of the image show that the subject is in a library. Doodads that make for interesting pictures include rings, funnels, toilet paper tubes, picture frames, and magnifying glasses. Framing your subject with unusual items can make for interesting and abstract results. So find a subject and frame it with something from architecture, nature, or things around your home that can act as a frame.

Watch these two YouTube videos which talk you through framing and how you can do it home in a little more detail:1.

2. Take a variety of photographs using DIFFERENT frames.

3. Choose your favourite three and them using Snapseed. You could turn them black and white or or tune their contrast and brightness to make the colours pop out. Watch this YouTube video showing you how to use the free Snapseed app to edit.

4. Create a collage of your favourite edited shots using your phone or the PicCollage app. Watch these YouTube videos which show you how to do this: Phone collage, PicCollage app.

5. Go back to Google classroom and turn in.

WAGOLL

Below is an example of the collage of photographs you will create following this lesson:

More Student Examples

If you want to learn how to do this assignment using Photopea to edit click here.

Photo in a Jar

Please use the following tutorial to create a Photo in a Jar effect. This is a really fun project to do as we are studying framing.

Watch the following YouTube video which will show you how edit a really cool framed shot using Snapseed:

2. Take your photo of a 'jar'. This could actually also be a photo of glass or vase. They all work well.

3. Find and save an image to 'place in the jar'.

4. Using the video above, edit both your photo of the jar and the image you found together to create a really cool image.

5. Go back to Good classroom and turn in your edited image.

WAGOLL

Below is an example of the photographs you will create following this lesson:

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