Photo composition is a huge, broad subject, with many differing opinions out there. There is of course no single ‘correct’ way to compose a photograph, and every photography situation merits a different approach.
With that said, there are a few key concepts in photo composition that are worth getting your head around. These are tried-and-tested ways to compose a photo, and if you have at least a working knowledge of these ideas, you’ll find much more success in your compositions. We’ve put together this guide to help you start thinking about how to compose a good photograph.
Photo composition: Key concepts
We’re going to go through many of these concepts in more detail later in this guide, but in the meantime, here is a quick overview of the key concepts of composition.
- Choosing the focal point. The focal point of an image is its main subject. It’s the thing that’s in focus, the main subject of your picture – fundamentally, it’s what you’re taking a photo of. As such, the first thing to do in any composition is to select the focal point of your image. You can be specific here – in a portrait, for instance, the focal point is not just the model, but specifically their eyes staring at the camera.
Remember that the focal point should be the main point of interest in the image, but it should also work in harmony with the rest of the elements in the scene. This is the real art of composition – and to get you thinking on compositional lines, here are some key concepts to keep in mind.
- Rule of thirds. This is one of the first compositional tenets you’ll hear in photography. ‘Rule’ is arguably a bit of a misnomer, as using the rule of thirds certainly isn’t obligatory for every image, but it is a reliable and well-loved composition technique,
This rule involves dividing the frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically, resulting in nine equal squares. The main subject of the photo is then placed along one of these lines, or at one of the points at which they intersect. This creates a balanced and aesthetically pleasing composition, with the main subject slightly off-centre.
- Leading lines. These are lines that help guide the viewer’s eye through the photo towards the main subject, creating a sense of depth and narrative in the image. Leading lines can be anything from a road or a path to a row of trees or buildings. It’s a good idea to train your eye to look for leading lines out in the world, and think about ways they can make your compositions more effective.
- Framing. Finding natural ways to frame your subject within an image can create a sense of context and add interest. You can use naturally occurring objects such as tree branches or man-made structures like stone arches to frame a subject for greater visual impact.
- Balance. Creating balance in your composition can help create a feeling of harmony and stability. Balance can be achieved by placing objects of equal visual weight on opposite sides of the frame.
- Depth of field. By altering the aperture setting on your lens, you can change the depth of field of an image. The greater the depth of field, the more of the image is in focus. A shallow depth of field, achieved with a wide aperture setting, is great for isolating a subject from the background – it’s popular in portrait photography for this reason. Larger depth of field, achieved by stopping the lens down to a narrower aperture, is a good way to create a sense of depth and scale in an image, and is common in landscape photography.
- Symmetry. Symmetry can be a powerful compositional tool, creating a sense of balance and order. A good way to create symmetry is to look for reflections, whether in water, mirrors or glass. In a symmetrical composition, you’ll want your subject placed nice and centrally – though sometimes off-centre symmetry can be very visually striking.
- Colour and contrast. Using contrasting colours or tones can help make your subject stand out, while looking for complementary colours can give an image a sense of harmony.
Remember that composition is subjective, and what works for one photo may not work for another. Experiment with different techniques and find what works best for your style and subject matter.
How to find the right angle for a photograph
A good way to vary and change your compositions is to experiment with different angles. Rather than simply holding your camera at head height, you can vary the angle from which you shoot for more interesting and creative results. Here are a few tips for finding the right angle for your images.
- Change your perspective. This is a simple step to take, but it’s a good way to start thinking differently about your compositions. Try shooting from a high or low angle relative to your subject, or just from a different angle than you normally would. Examine how it affects the look of the image, and the elements you’re able to include that you wouldn’t be otherwise.
- Consider the subject. Varying the angle of your image should have intentionality to it, and be done for a reason. You should choose an angle that will complement your subject. For example, if you’re shooting a portrait, shooting from eye level or slightly above will avoid unflattering distortions. If you’re shooting a flower, you may want to use a low-angle to produce an unusual perspective, or to get in the sun for a powerful backlight.
If you’re shooting a building, you may want to back off and shoot at a straight angle from a distance to capture the entire scene. Alternatively, you may want to get close and shoot upwards to convey an exaggerated sense of height.
- Experiment with focal lengths. Using a different focal length – either by zooming in or out, or by changing lenses – can help you explore different angles. A wider lens can help capture more of the scene, while a longer lens can help isolate your subject.
- Move around. Don’t be afraid to move around when trying different angles. Walk around your subject. Crouch down, or stand on something to gain a higher perspective. You may look a bit silly, but that’s a time-honoured part of being a photographer – and it’s worth it if you bag that killer shot!
Remember that finding a good angle can take some experimentation and practice. Take your time when approaching a subject, and don’t be afraid to play around until you find the angle that works best for your composition.
How to use leading lines
As we’ve already discussed, leading lines are a powerful compositional tool that can help guide the viewer’s eye through an image and create a sense of depth and movement. Here are some tips for using leading lines effectively.
- Look for natural lines. The first step of using leading lines is always going to be finding them, so it’s a good idea to train your eye to look for them. Leading lines can be found in a variety of natural and man-made elements, such as roads, paths, rivers, bridges, trees and much more. Look for lines that draw the eye towards your subject.
- Place your subject strategically. When using leading lines, it’s important to place your subject strategically in the frame. The subject should be placed where the lines converge or at a point where the lines create a natural frame around it. The two need to be working together for a harmonious image.
- Pay attention to perspective. The perspective from which you shoot can greatly impact the effectiveness of leading lines. Think about everything we’ve discussed already regarding shooting angles – shooting from a low perspective can make lines appear longer and more dramatic, while taking a high angle can make lines appear shorter.
- Use diagonals. Diagonal lines can add energy and movement to an image. Placing your subject along a diagonal line can create a sense of tension and action.
- Experiment with different focal lengths. Different lenses can change the way leading lines appear in your image. A wide-angle lens can exaggerate lines and create a sense of depth, while a longer lens can compress the lines for a more subtle effect.
- Don’t overdo it. While leading lines can be a powerful tool, it’s important not to overuse them. Too many lines can create a cluttered and confusing image, and using lines too often can make your portfolio feel repetitive. Instead, choose one or two prominent lines to lead the viewer’s eye towards your subject, and remember that not every image needs leading lines in order to work.
In that vein, it’s important to remember that leading lines are just one tool in your compositional arsenal. Experiment with different techniques and find what works best for your style and subject matter.
How to use symmetry in photography
Symmetry can be a powerful composition tool in photography that can create visually pleasing and balanced images. Like all compositional techniques, it’s not something you’ll want to use every time, but when judiciously deployed, symmetry can be hugely effective.
Here are some tips on how to work with symmetry in photo compositions.
- Look for natural symmetry. Start by looking for naturally occurring symmetry in your environment. These might be reflections in water or glass, or they might be more intentionally designed forms of symmetry as commonly seen in architecture. Symmetry also commonly occurs in nature, even in something as small as the pattern of a leaf.
- Remember the rule of thirds. This might seem counter-intuitive – surely symmetry demands a central composition, with perfect balance? However, using the rule of thirds to off-set the line of symmetry along one of the vertical or horizontal thirds lines can result in a more interesting and dynamic image.
- Play with angles and perspectives. Just because there’s symmetry in an image, that doesn’t mean you have to shoot it dead-on. Changing your angle or perspective can alter the way symmetry appears in your image. Try shooting from a different height or angle to see how it affects the symmetry and the overall composition.
- Use a mirror. Mirrors are a simple and effective way to create symmetrical compositions. Mirrored windows can be a gift for creating interesting symmetrical compositions in street scenes.
- Use editing tools. Itf you’re shooting out in the world, it’s likely that you won’t one hundred per cent nail the symmetry on your first try shooting an image. That’s okay! If you find that your symmetry is slightly off, you can use editing tools to correct it in post-processing. Many photo editing programs have features to help you achieve perfect symmetry, whether it’s straightening lines, cloning out distracting objects or correcting lens distortion.
Remember, symmetry is not the only way to create an interesting and balanced composition. It’s important to experiment with different composition techniques and find what works best for your subject and shooting situation.
