A handful of composition rules – the rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, balance and simplicity – will transform how your photos look. They are guidelines for arranging a scene so the eye knows where to go. Here are the composition rules every photographer should know.
Is it possible to speed teach a new photographer about the rules of photography composition in less than 500 words? I honestly, don’t know, but we are going to give it a damn good try!
Firstly, this intro doesn’t count, I’m not that brave! I’ll let you know when our word count begins.
So why I am doing this? Well it’s not to oversimplify the rules of photography and somehow diminish their importance. Instead, I hope it’s a little refresher to those photographers just want a little a quick reminder on different ways to compose their shots.
And if you want to see if we actually kept ourselves in check then feel free to copy and paste the follow text in to word counter.
Begin the count…
1. Rule of Thirds
Split your composition into a frame. See it as 9 areas using 2 horizontal and vertical lines. Place different elements into each row or column. Important subjects sit on the cross points.
2. Leading Lines
Use strong visual lines to force the attention of your audience through your image or towards a subject. Compositional lines can be straight or curved. Consecutive lines can increase the impact.
3. Balancing Elements
When using negative space in compositional photography place, a small sub-subject in the void opposite to your main subject. This should be an item/feature that adds more backstory to the image.
4. Golden Spiral
Based on the mathematics of Fibonacci, the Golden Spiral or Golden Ratio is an uncommon photography composition. Based on the ratio 1:1.618 it is a complexed series of areas larger than the one before. It creates a through line which charts a perfect yet invisible compositional curve.
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5. Reflections
By using water, glass, mirrors and highly polished surfaces, reflections offer a double view on a single subject. Used most commonly in portraits and street photography, reflections offer an abstract approach by having one inverted view.
Read more about reflection photography here.
6. Frame within a Frame
Aim to create another frame within your photography composition that encapsulates your main subject. Think about archways, doorways, tunnels, picture frames or windows for example. The more edges to your frame you can apply the strong the composition will be.
Read more about framing here.
7. Patterns
Strong patterns in a compositional photograph offers a pleasing composition. Think about using contrasting patterns between foreground and background as well as matching patterns working in opposite directions for a contrasting effect. Use complementary colours achieve a bolder finish.
8. Cropping
Post-production cropping of your photograph can enhance the final composition of your image. If you aren’t able to achieve your perfect shot in camera then tweak it afterwards by removing those distracting elements. Try to keep to set ratios of 1:1, 3:2, 5:4 or 16:9 to make the crop cleaner and comfortable on the eye.
Composition Photography: Final Words
Yes! 495 words, including the titles! Phew, that was actually quite tricky. Hopefully it was still useful to those of you who wanted a little refresher course.
I wondered whether I could cover some other topics in under 500 words? Let me know if there are any other areas of photography that you need a little brush upon.
Get in touch with me on iPhotography as well as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.
For more, read our guide to the rule of thirds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the basic rules of composition?
The most useful are the rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, balance, symmetry, filling the frame, simplicity, and using foreground interest. They guide where to place elements so the image reads clearly.
What is the most important composition rule?
The rule of thirds is the most widely used starting point, placing key elements off-centre for balance. But simplicity (removing clutter) and a clear subject arguably matter just as much.
Should I always follow composition rules?
No, they are guidelines, not laws. Learn them first so you compose deliberately, then break them when the scene calls for it. Knowing the rules makes breaking them effective rather than accidental.
How do I improve my composition?
Slow down, decide on your subject, remove distractions, and use guidelines like thirds and leading lines. Move your feet and change angle, composition is as much about position as the camera.
What is the rule of thirds?
Dividing the frame into a 3×3 grid and placing key elements along the lines or intersections, rather than dead centre, for a more balanced, dynamic image.