Framing
Etymology
From "frame," ultimately from Old English "framian" (to be helpful, make progress), related to "fram" (forward). The border sense — a bounding edge or structure — grew from the idea of shaping and constructing, later giving the verb "to frame" a shot.
noun · /FRAY-ming/
The choice of what a shot or image includes, excludes, and centers within its borders.
What it names
The most basic act of visual authorship — deciding the edges — and reveals that every image is a claim about what mattered enough to keep in.
Example
By framing out the crowd of photographers, the shot makes the star look utterly alone.
Related idea
Framing decides the boundaries of what is shown; composition arranges the elements once those boundaries are set. Note the separate psychological "framing effect," which is about wording a choice, not picturing it.
noun · /FRAY-ming/
The way an issue is presented so as to shape how it is understood.
What it names
the angle or spin put on a topic.
Example
The framing of the question decided the poll’s outcome.
Related idea
As a frame decides what a photo includes, verbal framing decides what a debate includes — cf. perspective.
noun / verb · /FRAY-ming/
The act of making an innocent person appear guilty through false or planted evidence.
What it names
a deliberate setup.
Example
He insisted he was being framed for the theft.
Related idea
To “frame” someone is to build a false picture around them.