Learn Photo Composition

Rules are meant to be broken. No composition rule is universal. No rule will work for every case. Some clever people have noticed trends in photos that can be summarized as rules and we'll try to summarize some of those rules.

"Consulting the rules of composition before taking a photograph, is like consulting the laws of gravity before going for a walk."

- Edward Weston

"The so-called rules of photographic composition are, in my opinion, invalid, irrelevant and immaterial"

- Ansel Adams

There are times when breaking the rules of composition can lead to more interesting and impactful photos. Here are a few examples:

Symmetrical compositions can be eye-catching and pleasing to look at, but sometimes breaking this symmetry can create a more dynamic image. If you're photographing a subject that is in motion, intentionally blurring the image can create a sense of movement and energy. Framing your subject with negative space can create a feeling of calm and serenity. However, filling the frame with your subject can make for a more intimate and dramatic photo. In general, following the rules of composition will result in well-balanced and aesthetically pleasing photos. But don't be afraid to experiment and break the rules every once in a while – you might just end up with a truly unique and memorable image.

2D Composition Rules

You can look at photos in two ways - either as a 2 dimensional plane with color, or as a three dimensional scene that has been flattened into a 2 dimensional photo. Some types of photos (macro, long focal lengths or shallow depth of field) tend toward 2 dimensional interpretations and the 2D Composition rules seem to work well. Other photos (mostly wide angle, deep depth of field) seem to require the strong three dimensional sense to really pop out to the user. Of course no rule is hard - almost the opposite, simply following the rules often leads to just acceptable images.

Rules Of Thirds

The rule of thirds is by far the best known composition rule. It is a guideline which suggests that an image should be divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections. If you divide the photo into thirds, place objects where the thirds cross. Align horizons and edges to join the third lines.

The opposite way of saying this rule is don't put the neat stuff in the center of the frame.

Disappearing Lines Into Corners

If there are strong lines in the scene, try to get them to disappear into the corner.  If the lines break into the center or the edge, it tends to divide the photo, but disappearing into a corner seems to make composition stronger.

Use S Curves

Apparently, they enjoy following S curves. These rules seem to apply mostly to water, roads and the silhouettes of people. When you have several layers in your photo, be sure that each layer is separated by at least 1/10th of the total frame.  So if you imagine your frame being 10 units deep, each successive layer should be at least 1 unit farther away than the last. This will ensure that your photo doesn't look flat and two-dimensional.

Movement Into The Majority Of The Frame

If you have motion, try to place the object that is moving into the larger part of the frame (more space in front of the vehicle than behind). If the moving thing approaches an edge, it may seem it's about to "fall off", which is discomforting to the viewer. If you want to be edgy, go right to the edges.

Monotonous Content

Some images would make killer jigsaw puzzles - they contain many examples of the same object but with deep detail allows the brain to dwell on and discover arbitrary parts of the photo.

3D Composition Rules

For Landscape and Environment photos, there are additional strategies you can use to make your photos stand out. These seem to tap into the brain's ability to perceive or reconstruct special relationships. Including multiple layers in your photo can give it a sense of depth and dimensionality. The foreground, middle ground, and background should all be clearly defined and evenly spaced. This will create a scene that is easy for the viewer to understand and appreciate.

Using Layers Of Textures And Lightning

One of the easiest ways to recover three dimensions from a two dimensional rendering is to use layers of lighting or textures. The eye can easily trace outlines and assign a depth sorting priority to the various pieces in the frame.

Using Silhouettes

Another aid to the eye seems to be the use of silhouettes. Dark Silhouettes are the easier form of Silhouette to form - just over expose the frame in a high contrast scene.

The second type of silhouette is a blend to ambient (often white). Fog is the most common situation to cause these effects, although it happens for many other reasons (dust storms, mist, tear gas)

Using Reflections

Again, our brain seems clever at resolving a three dimensional scene with the aid of reflections.  If the reflection folds at the center of the frame, it is less effective than using the third line, or even leaving the fold out of the frame all together.

Using Depth Of Field To Guide The Viewer

Sometimes a complex scene can be softened if the shallow depth of field is used. If you have a trace that maps from the foreground to the background, that also can aid the effectiveness of the image.

General rules that can help you to compose better photos, sometimes it can be helpful to break the rules. This is especially true if you are trying to capture a unique or unusual perspective. Of course, it is important to know the rules before you start breaking them. This way, you will have a better understanding of what makes a good composition, and you will be able to break the rules in a deliberate and effective way. Once you have a good foundation in the basics of composition, don't be afraid to experiment and see what happens when you go against the grain. You may just surprise yourself with the results!