Close-up

A near framing that fills much of the image with a subject and directs attention to expression or important detail.

Visual traits

• A legible placement or extent within the image
• Space and boundaries that retain a relationship to the subject

Expected changes

• Eye flow and the reading of the subject are more likely to change
• The requested placement or extent is more likely to be emphasized

Definition

Frames a face or major part of a person, animal, or object at close range, prioritizing subject information over setting; it differs from an extreme detail-only close-up.

In more detail

It adjusts placement, spatial depth, or visible extent without choosing the subject or medium. It can be combined with separate composition, viewpoint, lighting, and color directions.

Includes

• A near framing that fills much of the image with a subject and directs attention to expression or important detail.

Excludes

• An extreme crop showing only part of a face, Whole-image compositional placement

What this does not imply

• A particular subject era or region
• A particular medium or rendering method
• Technical lens exposure or lighting settings

Variability

Its strength varies with scale, empty space, and overlap, so specify the subject-setting relationship separately when needed.

Usage

• Let the subject fill much of the frame so expression or defining features remain legible
• Specify subject medium and lighting separately when needed

Distinguish similar expressions

• Add a separate direction for perspective or viewpoint when required
• Use a subject direction when choosing a kind of subject rather than image structure

Typical uses

• Let the subject fill much of the frame so expression or defining features remain legible
• Compare the same subject in a different image structure

Possible failure modes

• The requested image relationship is not legible
• It is substituted for a subject or medium direction