— When I read about Anne’s latest Lens-Artists challenge last week, I wanted to find examples in my photo library that were not necessarily macro photos. Those who have been reading this blog for a while will remember how much I enjoy creating macros. So, the challenge for me was to provide other photos that exemplify the concept of filling the frame in photography along with some macros.
When a photo fills the frame, it has several benefits. First and foremost, it focuses on the subject very clearly. You eliminate distracting elements or unnecessary background. Of course, this helps draw the viewer’s attention directly to the subject, highlighting its details, expressions, or interesting features. Take, for example, the first photo I featured here. In addition to filling up the entire frame, the photo also creates an emotional impact for the viewer. That photo creates an immersive experience. By using a telephoto lens, I was able to bring the beauty of that stained glass window at Fortaleza‘s Metropolitan Cathedral right up close to the viewer’s eyes. It is also important to note that filling the frame creates visual clarity and detail as if it were a macro photo.
The next photos come from some of our travels. When we are not hiking in national parks, we love to visit churches, national monuments, and other similar places in a metropolitan area. These photos, although closer to the viewer, emphasize intricate patterns, textures, or expressions that might otherwise get lost in a larger composition. The first photo in the gallery below comes from the San Antonio Missions NHP. It is the Rose Window in Mission San José. That is followed by a superb example of the Manueline architectural style. It is the Window of the Chapter House (“Janela do Capítulo,” in Portuguese) at the Convent of Christ in Tomar (Portugal). That entire convent is worth its own post. I’ll have to remedy that sometime in the future. The details you see show most of the motifs related to the maritime discoveries of the Portuguese, centuries ago. The last window, in contrast with the previous two examples, is seen from inside. Outside you see part of the gardens at the Ipiranga Museum in São Paulo, Brazil.
This next photo is a relic. It used to be displayed in the famous Threadgill’s restaurant in Austin. Once there was even a national ad made there for a credit card company. Sadly, the restaurant closed its doors a few years ago. Threadgill’s was the starting point for Janis Joplin’s career. There were several pieces of memorabilia from those days, including a photo of Mr. Threadgill and Janis Joplin performing on the small stage in the restaurant. As for the particular photo, it was one of those haunting photos one just wonders what it was that late Governor Ann Richards and Ms. Dolly Parton were laughing about. There is something so Texan about the photo, including the large hairdos Richards and Parton show. I named this photo “Big Laughs, Bigger Hair.” As anyone who’s ever taken a photo of a painting or photo hanging on a wall, you know there are always some minor distortions. That can easily be fixed in your favorite photo editing software.
Another favorite place to lose oneself and make great photos filling the frame is in displays, such as the one for Día de Los Muertos. I photographed that at the San Antonio Missions NHP, as in the previous photo above. The shallow depth of field keeps the skull without any of the surrounding pieces. I did get very close to this piece in order to focus only on the skull mask.
To fill an entire frame, one can also crop a large photo to bring out the subject more prominently. Austin is lucky to have the Formula 1 Circuit of the Americas track bringing a variety of racing events to town. This event you see in the next photo was really a lot of fun. The circuit was adapted with dirt sections and small hills to challenge the cars and drivers. This photo makes me think of counting sheep.
Finally, I go an obvious way of filling a frame: macros. It is so easy to capture great and hidden worlds by using a macro lens or a good telephoto lens for close-ups.
The first photo in that group is appropriately named Four O’Clock Flower. Others may know it also as Marvel of Peru. I like the former name because these flowers open up around 4 PM daily. They are approximately 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. The Whitespotted Jellyfish was one of the many marine animals we found at Lisbon’s Oceanário, a wonderful place to see a variety of marine life. Finally, the Blanchard’s Cricket Frog was a tough one to see and photograph. It blended very well with the dried surrounding ground. I often go on photo walks with an outstanding macro photographer and Master Naturalist here in Austin. She spotted this tiny frog and alerted me to it. I got my camera on the ground and began capturing photos. The frog was very cooperative for a short while. Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs measure from 0.6-1.5 inches (1.5-3.8 cm) in length. I was able to get very close and fill the frame with such beauty.
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Regina
Hi Egidio, you should work for National Geographic. You are an artist as a poet and a professional photographer. Pure art. Beautiful.
Egídio Leitão
Regina, your kind words are so welcome. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for your compliment.
philosophy through photography
I concur with Regina.
What a lovely collection for this theme!
“Big Laughs, Bigger Hair” is amazing!
The Rose Window is captivating.
Thank you for sharing.
Philo
Egídio Leitão
Philo, you’re also very kind. I really value your opinion and feedback. Thank you.
JohnRH
Great selections Egidio. Love the modern cathedral stained glass window, and racing cars, as well as the intricacies of the exterior windows, and even the beautiful scene out the museum window. Excellent!
philosophy through photography
You are welcome, Egidio Leitao.
Good morning from India.
Namaste.
Egídio Leitão
John, thanks for your valuable feedback. It’s very much appreciated.
Anne Sandler
Great frame filling examples Egidio! When I thought of this challenge, I also thought of macro photography. However, in my research, I learned a great deal which I passed on. All your photos focused on one subject. Even the photo of Ann Richards and Dolly Parton is focused on the subject of two women having a conversation. Well done!
margaret21
What a great collection here, so unlike the images I associate you with. But equally engaging.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Gorgeous Images of the cathedrals, Egidio! Floral close ups are always beautiful, but my favorite is your pic of Dia de Los Muertos skull! The slight blur in the foreground makes it feel as if I’m also looking at it very closely. Gorgeous examples for the challenge!
photobyjohnbo
Great collection, Egidio! You’ve certainly met your goal as stated in your first paragraphs. I am most impressed with the ARX photo. It’s hard to freeze the action while panning. It creates that blurred background that emphasizes the speed of the action! Great job!
Yanti
I love all the photos, Egídio, but especially the race cars jumping in action and the last macro of the lizard!
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, Anne. I had a couple of different photos that included some negative space. However, I trimmed the post down and eliminated those shots. I appreciate your feedback.
Egídio Leitão
Mission accomplished! Thanks for the feedback, Margaret. I’m glad to read your feedback about the images being unlike what you associate with me. That’s good to read, as that was my intention.
Egídio Leitão
Terri, thank you very much for your feedback and compliment. I appreciate your words.
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, John, for your feedback. Full disclosure: although I did freeze the action of the two cars in the air, the blurring effect was enhanced in post-processing. Since it was mildly seen in the RAW photo, I increased the blur using Luminar Neo.
Egídio Leitão
Yanti, thank you for the compliment. Those two photos are also my favorite.
Tina Schell
Superb choices this week Egidio. I love that you challenged yourself to include subjects outside of your usual macro expertise. I love the windows especially the opener and the one from Sao Paulo. Your composition on that one is just perfection.Also love the Dia de los Muertos mask which really tells a story. Really well done across the board!
Amy
Remarkable photos, Egidio! Love the cathedral stained glass window and racing cars. Beautiful flower captures. 🙂
photobyjohnbo
Cool. It doesn’t show!
Cee Neuner
These are all stunning photos. Your first one is a WOW though 😀
margaret21
Job done!
Egídio Leitão
Tina, first of all, thank you for your feedback. It’s always very helpful to read your take on these challenges. The process of choosing photos for a challenge is the hardest part for me. I start picking photos from my catalo and soon realize there are too many for a post. I would actually prefer to stick to one or two photos, but it’s hard to do so. Thanks for the compliments and specific remarks.
Egídio Leitão
Amy, I appreciate your feedback. Thank you so much.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you again, John. I guess a little bit of blur goes a long way.
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, Cee. That first photo is especially close to my heart as that is my hometown in Brazil.
Wind Kisses
Such a great contribution, Egidio, with your “how and why” that also help in perpetuating the challenge. I love the circular window and who cannot love studying the image of Richards, and Parton. My husband went to the Formula 1 in Austin a couple years ago. It was a bucket list item for him and it didn’t disappoint. He loved all of it. How he would love the Monaco Experience, as would I. Wonderful post!
Egídio Leitão
Donna, many thanks for your feedback. I appreciated that.
Sylvia Bacon
These are great pictures, Egidio, I especially love your opening shots!
Anita
As usual, an excellent collection of photos of various kinds that all fit the theme very well in one way or another. Love the Lisbon’s Oceanário and the Frog. The Stained Glass is very beautiful and the Skull mask unique. My favorite among your amazing photos is the speedy shot of the car race.
Egídio Leitão
Sylvia, thank you very much for the compliment.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you again, Anita. Your detailed comments are much appreciated.
pattimoed
You have so many wonderful images here. I love the photo of Dolly Parton and Ann Richards, and the racecars, and the frog, and the stained glass in your header image. Terrific photos, Egidio!
Sofia Alves
Stunning first photo that sets the mood for an excellent post, Egídio. I also love your macros 🙂
Leya
This is a great collection, and as always excellent camera work. I must have a favourite or two, and they are Parton and Richards and the racing cars. Two pictures full of life, one colourful and one monochrome. Both make me smile.
Egídio Leitão
I am so glad you liked those photos. They are also special to me. Thanks for the feedback.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you kindly, Sofia. That opening photo is a bit sentimental for me since it’s from my hometown’s metropolitan cathedral.
Egídio Leitão
Ann-Christine, I appreciate reading your feedback. Thank you. Your assessment of those two photos you mentioned is right on target. Glad they brought out a smiile.