The Cardinal Rules of Photo Composition

Cali4beach/flickr

Anybody can take a good photograph by accident, but composition is the key to taking a great photo every time you snap the lens.
Most people will look at a photo and have an immediate reaction to it without necessarily knowing why. What exactly are the elements that make a particular image pleasing or unpleasing? Answering this question requires a thorough understanding of composition, a crucial concept to grasp for any aspiring photographer.
But even defining the concept of composition is difficult. Nikon describes it as “how you choose to frame the picture you’re about to make,” while Darren Rowse, the founder of the Digital Photography School, thinks of compositional techniques as tools or guidelines that can be used to improve a photo, as opposed to a rigid set of rules demanding to be followed blindly.
However you choose to define them, compositional techniques aren’t just standard procedures you go through before taking every photo — you must know how and when to use them. While these concepts and techniques aren’t completely set in stone, they can work wonders when properly applied.

Move Away from the Center

Bronson ABbott/flickr

Every seasoned photographer knows about the rule of thirds. Strictly speaking, it involves dividing your frame into horizontal and vertical thirds, then placing your subject at one of the intersecting points. To make things easier, Digital Camera World suggests simply moving the subject away from the center of your frame.
As the subject shifts off-center, look for ways that you can balance your focal point with other elements within the frame, such as contrasting light, colors, and negative space. Trust your instincts, which will become increasingly reliable over time.

Take Advantage of Your Surroundings

Simon & His Camera/flickr

Lines are one of the best ways to convey action and direction in a photograph. They control the way in which the eye travels through an image, ultimately defining the visual path that leads your viewer to your subject.
Keep excess background noise to a minimum whenever possible. If you do have lines, try to make sure they aren’t going in too many different directions at once, as this can distract your viewer from the focal point and diminish its overall impact.
Engaging textures, patterns, and shapes are often the components that make photos come alive, but approaching these elements with a minimalist attitude will usually result in a more compelling image.

Break the Rules

The last cardinal rule of photography is that you cannot rely on a system to make something great, because great photographers know exactly when to break the rules.
Many of the best photographers in the world deliberately step outside of compositional boundaries to heighten an effect or emotion, ultimately making for a more engaging photograph. Start by breaking one or two of the rules while sticking to the others.
This will allow you to challenge your viewer and take them out of their comfort zone, while still employing the familiar to keep them grounded and engaged.

Jaime González/flickr

The above photo breaks the rule of leading lines. The lines point in one direction, but the girl moves directly against it — the photographer has used this tension to enhance a sense of a fighting spirit.
Now that you’re a composition expert, your new-and-improved photos should be displayed in a manner befitting their quality. And a beautiful Printique photo book or print is the perfect way to share your new, compositional-skills with friends, family, and the world!