semiframed

Semiframed is a term used in visual arts criticism to describe a composition in which the subject is only partially contained within the frame. This effect is achieved when part of the subject is cropped by the image boundary, obscured by foreground elements, or positioned so that only a segment of the subject is visible. Semiframing can occur in still photography, film, and other moving-image media, and it often emphasizes context, mood, or ambiguity over full explicit depiction.

In practice, semiframed works use techniques such as cropping, off-center or asymmetrical placement, and the deliberate inclusion of obstructing objects like doors, windows, or architectural features. The result is a sense of partial revelation, which can provoke curiosity or distance and invite the viewer to infer missing information. Semiframes can also create a dialogue between what is shown and what is suggested beyond the frame, reinforcing themes of secrecy, intrusion, or voyeurism.

Applications vary by medium. In photography, semiframed portraits or street scenes may focus on fragments of a person or scene to convey immediacy or tension. In cinema and video, semiframed shots can heighten suspense or emphasize spatial relationships, often aligning the frame with architectural borders or doorway edges. Critics note that while semiframing can enrich interpretation, excessive use may hinder recognition or read as a stylistic gimmick.

Related concepts include cropping, half-frame, off-frame, and foreground framing.