The MasterClass Series #15
Cutting the Clutter for a Balanced Frame
Equipment
Leica V-Lux Typ 114 (Valencia Dancer, Valencia Sax Player, Kumbh Aerial),
EOS 5D Mark III (United Way Navratri Vadodara, Chain Bridge Budapest, Paragliders, Helicopters, Hola Mohalla Daredevil Riders).
EF 24-70mm f/4 L IS USM (United Way Navratri Vadodara),
TS-E 17mm f/4 L (Chain Bridge Budapest),
EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM (Paragliders, and Helicopters),
EF 28-70mm f/2.8 L II USM (Hola Mohalla Daredevil Riders).
EXIF #1a
Valencia Dancer Shot (EXIF equivalent to 35mm full-frame)
Focal length: 128mm
Aperture: f/21
Shutter speed: 1/60
ISO: 125
EXIF #1b
Valencia Sax Player Shot (EXIF equivalent to 35mm full-frame)
Focal length: 146mm
Aperture: f/11
Shutter speed: 1/100
ISO: 125
EXIF #2
United Way Navratri Vadodara Shot
Focal length: 35mm
Aperture: f/4
Shutter speed: 1/30
ISO: 400
EXIF #3
Kumbh Aerial Shot
Focal length: 62mm
Aperture: f/13
Shutter speed: 1/2000
ISO: 200
EXIF #4
Chain Bridge Budapest Shot
Focal length: 17mm
Aperture: f/11
Shutter speed: 4 seconds
ISO: 100
EXIF #5a
Paragliders Shot
Focal length: 170mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Shutter speed: 1/2500
ISO: 100
EXIF #5b
Helicopters Shot
Focal length: 85mm
Aperture: f/3.5
Shutter speed: 1/2500
ISO: 100
EXIF #6
Ladakh Shot
Focal length: 70mm
Aperture: f/22
Shutter speed: 1/30
ISO: 100
Editing
Adobe Lightroom Classic CC
Last week, you got an insight into choosing B&W over colour but in this post, let’s try to address the clutter for creating a balanced frame.
The Story
During our travels, we devise our itineraries to suit our lures. With all the personalisation, we still cannot ignore visiting many attractions. These range from beaches to waterfalls, palaces to heritage buildings, churches to temples, entertainment parks to popular fairs, and more. And, like us, multitudes throng these spots as attractions are traveller magnets. Like it or not, crowds form an intrinsic part of the experience of visiting them.
The challenge of cutting the clutter for a balanced frame
Crowds clutter a frame. Not always, but often. When we shoot, our challenge is to keep the crowds out of the frame or ensure we balance the frame despite the crowds. With aesthetic sensibility and presence of mind, you can manage a good frame at most times.
The shots
Let us see how to overcome or include chaos and get a pleasing frame.
Shot #1a: Valencia Dancer 
Shot #1b: Valencia Sax Player
- Going close to the subject and/or blurring the fore/background is an effective weapon in a photographer’s armoury. In the Valencia Dancer shot (shot #1a), while the chaos is part of the frame, the dancer dominates and I have blurred the background going close to the dancer. I have achieved the same by cutting out the non-subjects in the Valencia Saxophone player shot (shot #1b).
- Compose the frame to make the crowd an integral part of the frame. Ensure it does not attract undue attention, but the viewer focuses on the overall scene. United Way Navratri shot (shot #2) illustrates the effectiveness of this technique.
- Getting above the crowds is effective to compose a stunning shot. The Kumbh Aerial shot (shot #3) has been clicked from a helicopter and it is effective in portraying the mega-scale of this celebration.
The Shots (Contd.)
- If you are shooting in low light, a slow shutter speed diffuses the effect the crowd has on a frame. See the Chain Bridge Budapest shot (shot #4). Here, the people moving about in the foreground have not diluted the frame as the camera has captured them as a passing blur.
Shot #5a: Paragliders fill the sky in Bir, Himachal Pradesh 
Shot #5b: Sarang Helicopters Display Team at Bengaluru Aero Show
- Sometimes, the ‘clutter’ is the shot. Here, go wide and capture it all. In the ‘paragliders’ shot (shot #5a), the sheer number of paragliders flitting about the sky is the wow-factor. Same way, in the ‘helicopters’ shot (shot #5b), the daredevilry of the helicopter pilots stun you with the chaotic formation they’ve managed.
- While panning helps add a sense of speed to a still shot, it can be a useful clutter-cutter too if your subject is in motion. Have a look at the daredevil riders (shot #6) at Hola Mohalla and see for yourself how the colourful clutter has been nullified.
Click HERE to see how to cut a different kind of clutter.
So, clutter is a given. As photographers, managing it and composing a neat frame is our job. These pointers will bring out your creative best!
