Welcome back to the 2026 Photo Challenge! After finding peace in negative space last week, we’re shifting our focus to a classic compositional technique: Frame within a Frame.

This week, the goal was to use natural or man-made elements within the scene to create a “window” for the viewer, adding depth and directing the eye toward the subject. But as is often the case with landscape photography, Mother Nature had her own plans for the day.

The Challenge: Embracing the Elements

I headed to Elvaston Park on a day that could only be described as “aggressively wet.” Large sections of the park were flooded, and the paths had turned into a muddy obstacle course. Thankfully, I had my trusty wellies!

The Gear:

• Canon 17-40mm f/4: For those wide, environmental frames.
• Canon 70-200mm f/4: To compress the scene and find tighter frames from a distance.

Finding the Frame

One of my favorite shots of the day happened early on. I found a clearance in the trees that acted as a perfect natural frame for the house in the distance. By shooting wide at 17mm, I was able to use the dark silhouettes of the branches to “encapsulate” the architecture.

A lucky moment also occurred by the lake, where a swan swam directly into my frame just as I was setting up!

The Hidden Discovery

The highlight of the trek was stumbling upon an old graveyard hidden within the park. The atmosphere was incredibly peaceful and somber. To stick to the challenge, I got low to the ground, using a combination of snowdrops and a weathered tombstone to frame the church in the background.

Reflections

Working in the rain and mud reminded me that photography isn’t always about perfect conditions—it’s about how you adapt. While the flooding restricted my movement, it forced me to look closer at my immediate surroundings for framing opportunities I might have otherwise walked right past.

Did I go too far photographing in the cemetery? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Check out the video below to see the full journey and the final results!

Next Week’s Theme: Get your close-up lenses ready… we are diving into Macro Photography! I can’t wait to see what tiny worlds we can discover.

Until then, stay safe and keep shooting!

— Alex