Framing Like a Pro: The Basics of Composition in Video
If lighting is the soul of a video, framing is its backbone. Great composition transforms ordinary footage into visual storytelling that grabs attention, holds interest, and communicates emotion. Whether you’re shooting a brand film, creating an animation, or live-action social media content, mastering the art of composition can elevate your work from average to extraordinary.
Master the Rule of Thirds
A picture cropped without and with the rule of thirds
(By Tadrart01.JPG: Pir6monderivative work: Teeks99 (talk) - Tadrart01.JPG, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12219811)
The rule of thirds is one of the most recognised principles of composition. Imagine dividing your frame into a 3x3 grid — two horizontal and two vertical lines. Placing your subject along these lines or their intersections creates balance and visual interest.
This works because our eyes are naturally drawn to these points. For example, placing a speaker just off-centre in an interview shot feels more dynamic than dead-centre framing, which can appear rigid. That said, placing a subject squarely in the centre can be powerful if you want a sense of formality or confrontation.
👉 Pro insight: In client testimonial shoots, we often use the rule of thirds to position the speaker slightly to the side, then place branded elements (like a logo or workplace context) in the opposite space. It keeps the viewer’s focus where it belongs — on the message.
Leverage Leading Lines
Leading lines are visual cues that guide your audience’s eyes through the frame. Roads, hallways, handrails, or even the edge of a desk can all serve as natural guides.
Using them strategically adds depth and directs attention. For instance, if filming a corporate walkthrough, positioning your subject where the office corridor naturally leads the eye can create both depth and focus.
👉 Common mistake to avoid: letting lines pull the eye away from your subject. A road leading out of frame can subconsciously direct attention elsewhere, diluting your shot.
Keep Your Background Clean and Intentional
The background is your silent co-star. A cluttered office, a messy shelf, or distracting patterns can ruin even the most beautifully lit subject.
Before hitting record, check for anything that competes with your subject. Bright colours, signage, or awkwardly placed objects (like plants “growing” out of someone’s head) can instantly undermine professionalism.
👉 Pro tip: Use depth of field creatively — a blurred background can keep the environment recognisable without stealing attention.
Play with Depth and Perspective
Flat frames are forgettable. Adding layers — foreground, midground, and background — makes your shot cinematic and immersive.
For interviews, try filming through a doorway, or add out-of-focus elements like a plant or lamp in the foreground. For product videos, position items at different depths to create dimension.
👉 Experiment with angles: A low angle can make a CEO look authoritative, while a high angle in a training video can create approachability.
Balance Symmetry and Asymmetry
Symmetry communicates order, stability, and strength — perfect for product hero shots or architectural sequences. But asymmetry injects energy and unpredictability, keeping viewers engaged.
For example, a symmetrical shot of a boardroom emphasises structure and authority, while an asymmetrical shot of a busy workspace highlights creativity and movement. The trick is to know which tone matches your story.
Don’t Forget About Headroom and Eye Level
Headroom — the space above your subject’s head — is a deceptively small detail with a big impact. Too much space feels amateurish; too little feels cramped. A balanced headroom keeps the subject comfortable in the frame.
Eye level also shapes perception. Shooting at or slightly above eye level feels natural and conversational (great for interviews). Shooting from below conveys power and dominance, while above-eye angles suggest vulnerability.
👉 Quick fix: If you only make one adjustment in your next shoot, check headroom and eye level before rolling. It instantly elevates the professionalism of your footage.
Know When to Break the Rules
Rules exist for a reason — but sometimes, breaking them creates unforgettable imagery. A brilliant example is the TV series Mr Robot, which frequently ignored traditional composition. Characters were often placed at the extreme edge or bottom of the frame, leaving large areas of negative space.
This wasn’t a mistake; it was a stylistic choice. The unusual framing mirrored the show’s themes of alienation and disconnection. By breaking expectations, the series kept viewers unsettled and visually intrigued.
👉 Takeaway: Once you understand the rules of framing, don’t be afraid to bend or break them when it serves your story. Creative risk-taking is often what makes content stand out in a crowded media landscape.
Why Framing Matters
Framing isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about storytelling. Strong composition guides your viewer’s focus, emphasises key elements, and creates rhythm within your video. It’s the difference between a shot that looks “fine” and one that resonates.
Great composition is both an art and a science. By mastering the fundamentals — and knowing when to break them — you can craft videos that engage, inspire, and stay memorable long after they’re viewed.
Whether you’re shooting a corporate message, a product demo, or an animated explainer, thoughtful framing ensures your message comes through with clarity and impact.