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Category: How to Use Camera Lenses and Focus

Photography Question 

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Composition: Filling the Frame


What is meant by the term "fill the frame"?


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January 22, 2006

 

Pete H
  Can you be a little more specific?

Pete



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January 22, 2006

 

Christopher A. Vedros
  It's probably a reference to the fact that many pictures can be improved by getting closer to your subject - fill the frame with your subject.


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January 22, 2006

 

Rachel Tribunella
  Filling the frame is wonderful with 35mm film, but don't get in the habit if you're planning on going digital! It's a hard habit to break. Leave room on the side for enlargements to be cropped because of the ratio.


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January 24, 2006

 

Christopher A. Vedros
  Many digital cameras use the same aspect ratio as 35mm cameras. You have the same issue with 35mm - you can print a 4x6 with no cropping, but you need to crop when printing to 8x10.


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January 25, 2006

 

Kerry L. Walker
  Same issue with medium-format film - just a different ratio.


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January 25, 2006

 

John Rhodes
  Janette: The discussion on aspect ratios is right on. However, I don't think they actually get to the point of the question. Chris V. said it best - get closer. If you stand back, and later try to crop when you edit, you'll lose quality in the print. Crop with the camera whenever possible. Get to know your camera so you know what the sensor will capture as compared to what you saw in the viewfinder.


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January 25, 2006

 

John P. Sandstedt
  Use the viewfinder to properly compose your picture. Regardless of whether it's film or digital, never compose to the maximum dimensions - that is - leave a little - as cropping may still be desirable and for the reasons noted by Kerry and Chris. Note what I said, crop in the viewfinder. You can use optical zoom but never use digital zoom to crop.


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January 25, 2006

 
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