This week we're diving into the very first challenge in our intermediate Unleashed Challenges course Emerge – Framed!

Framing is a powerful and unmistakable way to draw the viewer’s eye directly to your subject. It also opens the door to adding interest to your shot – think colour, texture, and a sense of place or story. From natural surroundings to urban elements, doorways to foliage, the ways you can frame a subject are practically endless.

We were seriously impressed by the submissions from our challengers in this very first challenge – what a way to kick off Emerge!

We provide video feedback on all images submitted for the challenge, and from there, we select our Top 20 and Top 10. Without further ado, here are the Top 10 images for this challenge!

Danny Dohrmann | fluffnfurry_petphotography

The different purrsonalities (we couldn't resist) popping out of their individual frames here is such a clever interpretation of the brief.

Dawn McBride | Fuzzy Love Photography

What a clever way of framing the subject. It creates a bit of an optical illusion and the circles and lines of the bedposts make this feel like a piece of modern art.

Diane Schlichting | Little Bear Photography

A simple but highly effective frame. The slightly judgmental expression on the subject is great!

Erica Harvey | Erica Lane Photography

How about using your big sister to frame your cuteness! Gorgeous expressions on both dogs, a simple soft colour palette and the subjects are beautifully lit.

Heather Huffman | Heather Huffman Photography

Framed beautifully by the window frame, the composition is also supported by symmetry too. The dog breaks that symmetry nicely to become the viewer's sole focus in the image.

Jill Blathwayt 

That paw up *heart melts*, so reminiscent of Puss-in-Boots! A box is the perfect frame for a cat, and this has been captured and edited beautifully.

Linda Van Oeffelen-Brosens | Jinterwas Photography

Fantastic expression, great use of framing and lots of layered elements make this an engaging portrait suited to this challenge brief. The complementary colours work well too.

Nikki Jennifer | Nikki Jennifer Photography

There's a very emotive quality to this image. Kind of depicting how it feels to look outside on a gloomy day, longing for adventure! The colours are beautifully crafted and each framed pane of glass has something interesting to explore, while the subject remains the most interesting element in the image.

Shelly Cavallaro | Wherever the Nose Goes

This is such a serene image, the expression, circular frame and soft colour palette all evoke that emotion. The ancient structure is perfect for this lovely dogs greying face.

Sherry Glassman | mr._eli_the_poodle

Fabulous ambience balanced perfectly with the flash on the subject. Those hallway lights used as effective framing elements. This feels like a high end fashion portrait in a mid-century modern hotel, head-tilt and all!

Emerge is the intermediate 6-month interactive challenge-based dog photography course in our Unleashed Challenges series, focusing on helping you to expand your shooting shot list and learn valuable new skills.

Emerge is open to students who have previously completed the first course in the series, Embark.

Want to be the first to hear when Embark opens for enrolment each year? Register your interest here.