Spiritual Photo Tip 6: Framing Your Subject

Just as you’d frame a painting or photograph for your house, so too can you frame your subject within the image itself. That frame becomes part of the artwork, adding style & beauty while enhancing the main subject.

And just as with people and situations in your life, having a frame of reference or reframing first impressions can enhance both your understanding and the inherent beauty of the scene or scenario.

Welcome to Spiritual Photo Tip 6 – opening new ways of seeing & being in the world all the while taking better photographs.

Similarly to Foreground, the frame you use can help the viewer understand where the photo was taken – the surroundings around the subject.

There are all sorts of elements in the scene you’re photographing that can be used as frames within your frame – from architectural elements like windows, doors, and tunnels to natural elements like tree branches.

You’re looking for something to place around your subject to increase the focus on your subject and give it context.

One reason to add a frame is to highlight the relationship between the main subject and context.

At times, that frame – that story –  becomes as important as the main subject, either symbolically or aesthetically. They’re part of a whole, a package deal.

Isn’t it the same thing with the people in your life?

If you understood the frame of reference for those who annoy or anger you, wouldn’t you be more inclined to be more compassionate?

Often, being curious about a person’s history can open up greater acceptance.

If you listened to your child’s story before judging their behaviour, wouldn’t you be more inclined to love them unconditionally?

But sometimes, you need to look inside for the frame of reference – you were triggered by the mirror that person or situation provided. No one is responsible for your feelings and reactions except yourself. Nothing has meaning but the meaning you give it.

If you recalled the big picture before judging yourself, wouldn’t you be more apt to forgive yourself and grow out of such reactions and behaviours in the future?

We all have our reasons for being the way we are. It’s not an excuse, but awareness is key to

1. personal growth, and
2. love & compassion towards others.

Have you ever had a total paradigm shift after hearing why someone was behaving the way they were?

A frame of reference can instantly change your perceptions.

I’ll never forget hearing Stephen R. Covey tell this story in his audiobook “7 Habits of Highly Effect People”. It has stayed with me for decades, helping me grow more loving each time I remember & apply it.

“I remember a mini-paradigm shift I experienced one Sunday morning on a subway in New York. People were sitting quietly – some reading newspapers, some lost in thought, some resting with their eyes closed. It was a calm, peaceful scene.

Then suddenly, a man and his children entered the subway car. The children were so loud and rambunctious that instantly the whole climate changed.

The man sat down next to me and closed his eyes, apparently oblivious to the situation. The children were yelling back and forth, throwing things, even grabbing people’s papers. It was very disturbing. And yet, the man sitting next to me did nothing.

It was difficult not to feel irritated. I could not believe that he could be so insensitive as to let his children run wild like that and do nothing about it, taking no responsibility at all. It was easy to see that everyone else on the subway felt irritated, too. So finally, with what I felt like was unusual patience and restraint, I turned to him and said, “Sir, your children are really disturbing a lot of people. I wonder if you couldn’t control them a little more?”

The man lifted his gaze as if to come to a consciousness of the situation for the first time and said softly, “Oh, you’re right. I guess I should do something about it. We just came from the hospital where their mother died about an hour ago. I don’t know what to think, and I guess they don’t know how to handle it either.”

Can you imagine what I felt at that moment? My paradigm shifted. Suddenly I saw things differently, and because I saw differently, I thought differently, I felt differently, I behaved differently. My irritation vanished. I didn’t have to worry about controlling my attitude or my behavior; my heart was filled with the man’s pain. Feelings of sympathy and compassion flowed freely. “Your wife just died? Oh I’m so sorry! Can you tell me about it? What can I do to help?” Everything changed in an instant.” 

Other times, framing your subject helps save what could be a bad picture.

For example, it can help simplify your image. The angel statue below, for example, was in a cluttered graveyard.  By crouching low and aiming my camera higher, I framed it with fall foliage.

Trees and other framing props are also perfect on overcast days to add character to white skies in your photos. It’s best to either crop those out or cover them up. Framing your image is one way of doing that.

With awareness and creativity, you can change both the mood and impact of a photo.

What challenge in your life can use a bit of reframing magic right now?

What if you saw that challenge as an opportunity? How would you feel, behave, or act differently?

It’s so easy to ignore the Truth because of all the internal clutter or lens we’re looking through.

Often, asking the question “What would love do now?” can help us reframe the situation or person. It can help us let go of our fear-based perceptions, changing the entire scene or scenario before us.

Go ahead. Try it with something that’s come up for you this week.

Do you want to spread love & beauty in this world?

Have fun with this week’s photo assignment. Find creative ways to frame your subjects. If something catches your attention, look around for a way to photograph it through something.

Then share those on social media or other ways.

Next, let this exercise guide you in looking at what comes up in your life.

Ask questions to understand the frame of reference and seek ways to be more loving in your approach.

Everyone in the situation will benefit from it – you included!