Image bank - Image within an image

The image within an image technique in photography is where pictures are put into frame outlines present in a photograph and so on. Examples of this are all below.

This frame photography is effective and successful for many reasons. It is a unique and fun way to capture a family photograph, and having the parents looking down at the baby in the smaller picture conveys a sense of protection for the child. Each frame is being held at a different angle, and both parents have a smile on their face. This adds to the positivity in this photograph which I like. The parents and child are dressed in dark clothing so that they match and keep the photograph structured, keeping the piece neutral. It has been constructed well, as the man is in possession of his partner, protecting both her and their child in the frame, and then the mum of the baby is in possession of their child, also protecting him. It's a well thought of photograph with love and care oozing out from it. 

This is a very clever piece of photo montage where the picture within a picture theme has been used exceptionally well. The illusion of a man climbing up a ladder that leads through a photo frame can also be viewed as a man climbing up a ladder through a hole in the wall. It looks extremely realistic which is what I think always makes this type of photograph a successful construction. The colours in this piece have again been thought about, keeping the feel neutral and simplistic instead of there being a colour overload. I think that the beige cargo shorts are a successful piece of clothing that are usually associated with men who are undergoing an adventure of some sort. The man climbing through the frame is indeed going on his own sort of adventure, up a tree it seems, therefore adding to this photographs successful creation.

I like in this photograph that the clever part of it is the Polaroid picture. An individual picture of the mans face was taken on a Polaroid, and then placed in front of his body in front of the coastline. I think this is extra effective than with a frame, because it is an actual photograph. If I were to use Polaroids to replace frames in this style of photography, I could even place other images into the Polaroid frame and use it as an outline; I could use an empty Polaroid sheet and edit a picture in front of it. I intend to take some picture similar to this when I go on my holiday in the summer. I may do this in front of the sea like the person who captured this photo did, or in front of a historical building when I visit Rome. 

This is one of my favourite photographs. The dark green and yellow colours compliment each other successfully, making the photograph appear bold and fun. The model also having red lipstick on is a nice touch, adding an extra pop of colour. The fact that she is holding a frame on a slant creates edge, rather than doing the everyday thing of holding the frame directly in front of the camera. By repeating the original photograph of the girl in the frame, it makes the formal element depth stand out so much more. Everything gradually becomes smaller each frame you look at, which would not have been as evident if whole different kinds of images were placed in the frames. Overall it is a very colourful and funky style of creating interesting photographs. 

This picture within a picture piece is my favourite type of style. I really like the theme of using Polaroid pictures instead of frames. The winter jumper on the females hand suggests that the weather is cold, which would explain the dark blue tones in the actual Polaroid. This frosty picture compliments the jumper. On the other hand, there are more lighter pastel shades on the houses and a lighter road in the blurred background. This may have been unintentional, however it could be suggested that the Polaroid and the blurred background are exactly the same place, whilst both having been taken in different weather conditions. I like this creative technique and may use it in my project. Also, the Polaroid being in front of the road interrupting it's length, can actually be seen through the Polaroid which I find really clever. The depth of this street is evident in this photograph, despite how it is portrayed. 

This is another unique way of using the picture within a picture theme in a photograph. The couple have used an iPad to convey the subject of this image. Having them both hold the iPad conveys a sense of connection and them both being part of what the viewer looks at on the screen; their love. The man and woman are both admiring each other in a romantic way which is extremely sweet, and like the family photograph above, is another unique way of capturing memorable pictures. I like that the background is blurred so much that the focus is on what's going on in the iPad. The fun colours in this piece top it all off and make it a very positive piece.