Composition

General Overview

Understanding composition is one of the foundations of great photography. Before diving into camera modes or adjusting advanced settings, it’s essential to grasp how elements like framing, balance, and color impact your photos. Mastering these basics ensures that when you do explore modes and manual adjustments, you’ll use these features in collaboration with the principles that guide the viewer's eye and set the mood of an image.

Beginner Composition Principles

  1. Rule of Thirds

    Divide the frame into a 3x3 grid and place your subject along the gridlines or at the intersections for a balanced composition.

 
an image of two girls walking along a beach at sunset. the subject are in the bottom left of the image.
 

2. Framing

Use natural or architectural elements (like windows, arches, or trees) to frame your subject and draw attention to it.

 
A Japanese temple framed by tree limbs.
 

3. Leading Lines

Use roads, fences, or any linear elements to guide the viewer's eye toward the subject of your photo.

 
A wooden walkway by the beach framed by tree branches.
 

4. Negative Space

Leave open space around your subject to create simplicity and emphasize the main focus of your image.

 
The Golden Gate Bridge in shadow with the top portion of the image being sky.
 

Intermediate Composition Principles

5. Symmetry and Patterns

Look for symmetrical scenes or repeating patterns to create visually pleasing and balanced images.

 
A row of multicolored Japanese lanterns.
 

6. Balance

Distribute visual elements evenly in the frame to avoid a feeling of heaviness on one side.

 
Foliage image with the sky in the center.
 

7. Texture

Highlight the texture of objects (like sand, wood, or fabric) to add dimension and detail to your images.

 
A close up of wood showing details.
 

8. Point of View

Experiment with angles—shoot from above, below, or at eye level to make your photos more dynamic.

 
An image of a church ceiling looking directly up.
 

Advanced Composition Principles

9. Depth of Field (DoF)

Use a shallow depth of field (blurred background) for portraits or close ups to isolate the subject or a deep depth of field for landscapes to keep everything sharp.

 
A close up of a flower.
 

10. Golden Ratio

Similar to the rule of thirds but based on a spiral pattern, this is a more advanced way to compose harmonious shots.

 
A chocolate dessert frame but a swirl of caramel sauce.
 

11. Cropping

Cut out unnecessary elements to strengthen the focus on your subject.

 
The ice caves of Vik, Iceland with the sky cropped out.
 

12. Color Theory

Use complementary colors or a harmonious palette to make your images more visually striking.

 
A street scene taken from a low angle with complementary colors on the floor and walls.
 
“There is a vast difference between taking a picture and making a photograph.”
— Robert Heinecken