Open framing in film or photography features, examples

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David Holt

You can define the open framing in film or photography as a wide shot whose purpose is to portray not only the environment, but the object or person in it. In both audiovisual arts, this format emerged with the purpose of placing a certain distance between the representation and the viewer..

In this way, it is possible to express that the frame is the reflection of a fragment of reality that has been selected by the artist to share with humanity. However, it should be noted that every author perceives the empirical world differently; For this reason, each scene or image that is exposed will transmit a different message.

In John Ford's film "Centaurs of the Desert" many open frames are used. Source: wikipedia.org

So, the open framing focuses on the diversity of perspectives, because not only the vision of the author counts but also that of the members of the public, who will exhibit different points of view that will adjust to their knowledge and what has inspired them. the exposed painting.

In this sense, it is appreciated that the human eye is a kind of camera, and focuses on certain details while omitting others. Hence one of the drawbacks that this format presented at the end of the 19th century, which was the amount of elements or beings that interacted in a scene..

This aspect caused that the spectators did not understand the portrayed scene. This was so because the incorporation of so many components in the same space caused the frame to lose its unitary sense. From then on, new techniques began to be developed that aimed to improve the vast focus or the general capture..

Article index

  • 1 Features
    • 1.1 Horizontal frame
    • 1.2 Inclined frame
    • 1.3 Long shot or general
    • 1.4 Middle plane
    • 1.5 American plane
  • 2 Examples
    • 2.1 Germany (1945), by Henri Cartier Bresson Dessau
    • 2.2 Desert Centaurs (1956), by John Ford
  • 3 References

Characteristics

The open frame is characterized by having several composition codes that seek to give a concrete meaning to the exposed element, be it a static or moving scene. Each image represented must express one or more emotions; the goal is for the audience to repudiate or empathize with the scenario devised.

Similarly, this format consists of exposing the scene as a unit. By using the general approach, the artists ensure that each exhibited element has coherence and cohesion with the rest of the objects that make up the elaborated painting..

For this reason, the environment and the character must be perceived in a homogeneous way, avoiding that they are dispersed. To achieve this uniformity, the authors use some methods that are known as plans, which have the purpose of structuring the photographed or engraved frame. Among the main techniques, the following stand out:

Horizontal frame

It is the painting most used by filmmakers and photographers, since it is used with the purpose of expanding the image and generating calm. These representations are usually balanced, so it is generally used to capture landscapes or group moments. They are portraits or reproductions that convey harmony.

Even so, it should be noted that this format is also used in advertisements in which the concept of negative space is applied..

This technique consists of dividing the frame in two: the model is placed on one edge and the product or a motivational message is placed at the other end. Even if they are divided, these portraits must be appreciated as a whole.

Inclined frame

The inclined frame is not a popular shot, but the term “framing” derives from this, due to the vertical position that the camera acquires when it is intended to obtain a reproduction from heights.

It is often used to capture the poses of individuals who play extreme sports or for action scenes, in which drastic movements are the focus of the film..

Long shot or general

It is the open frame that has the greatest recognition. It is identified by showing a space surrounded by a crowd or a large stage in which the characters are minimized or join the environment. It has a descriptive role, since this format seeks to explain what is happening in the detailed place.

It is worth mentioning that thanks to the general shot, the scene can obtain a dramatic value, whose objective is to highlight the loneliness or smallness of the man in front of the environment.

Middle plane

The middle shot is one that covers the torsos of the characters and not their complete figures. It is manifested that this approach is part of the open framing because it does not stop exposing the environment, which joins the state of mind of the beings represented.

American plane

This framework emerged in North America in the first decades of the 20th century. From its birth it had the purpose of portraying the interrelationship between the fictitious figures, which is why it is used in most films about cowboys.

It stands out in those scenes in which the characters are about to start a conflict or a conversation. This plane is characterized by suggesting firmness.

Examples

It is fair to point out that open framing is a method that stands out in all films and in countless photographs..

Artists use this format for the purpose of representing a fact that has transcended the world or to create an illusion of reality in their works. Below we will mention some works in which this is evidenced:

Germany (1945), by Henri Cartier Bresson Dessau

This black and white photograph reflects a devastated space. The foreground projects the middle of a cracked street; while the second shows a woman lying in a fetal position.

Only the lower side of her face is visible because her hair covers her nose and eyes. In the last plane a landscape in ruins is exhibited, impregnated with stones and debris.

The framing of this portrait is open because its organization is wide, it consists of several approaches and the environment is linked to the spirit of the lady.

Desert centaurs (1956), by John Ford

This film is made up of a set of open images, since the story was recorded in natural spaces. The scenes are aesthetic and consist of three planes.

The objective of the scenarios is to show the immensity of the desert and the ability of the characters to join the environment.

References

  1. Agar, J. (2003). Global story of photography. Retrieved on August 6, 2019 from University of Cambrige: cam.ac.uk
  2. Bennet, T. (2009). Evolution of the photographic framing. Retrieved on August 6, 2019 from University of London: London.ac.uk
  3. Burke, E. (2018). Photography and cinema. Retrieved on August 6, 2019 from the University of Louisville: louisville.edu
  4. Castellanos, P. (2014). The skylight of infinity: memory on cinema. Retrieved on August 6, 2019 from the National Library of Spain: bne.es
  5. Durán, R. (2019). The time of the image. Retrieved on August 6, 2019 from the Art Academy: madridacademiadearte.com
  6. Flusser, V. (2017). Open framing. Retrieved on August 06, 2019 from Barcelona Academy of Art: academyofartbarcelona.com
  7. Gutiérrez, P. (2016). Photographic framing understood as a process. Retrieved on August 6, 2019 from the National Institute of Fine Arts: enba.edu.uy

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