How to Compose a Photograph
Composition is what makes a photograph interesting, and it also keeps your viewer engaged. In order to improve your composition, just follow these tips. If you are just starting out with photography, it may take you a while to develop an “eye” for composition, but don’t worry because you will improve.
1. When you are photographing your subject, always keep composition in mind. Do not rely on cropping them afterward. While it is okay to crop your photos, you do not want to be spending time cropping every single one in order to get an interesting photograph.
2. Subject placement is the first thing to consider. Rarely do you want to place your subject in the middle of the frame. Instead, place your subject in a “sweet spot.”
In order to visualize these sweet spots, imagine a blank, rectangular photo. Imagine 2 vertical lines breaking the frame into 3 equal parts. Next, 2 horizontal lines will break the frame into 3 equal parts. These lines will intersect in 4 spots, and these are the sweet spots. These sweet spots are the places to put your subject for a great photo.
3. Use lines or texture to draw the viewer into your photograph. Your viewer is going to be guided around the photo by the lines.
If you have a spiral staircase spiraling inward, the viewer will continue to follow that spiral around. If you have blades of grass and rays of sun, the viewer will most likely follow the blades of grass to the top of the photo, and the rays of sun to the bottom of the photo; they will continue this cycle.
Horizon lines can be placed either above or below the center. Lines from subjects such as trees, ladders, buildings, or railroad tracks can also be used to create strong composition.