Learn to compose photos that get attention
The composition of a photography is the way you position the subject or the subjects in the frame. Often overlooked or botched, the composition has a very important role in the final rendering of your photo: A well composed photograph should be "readable" and understandable, delivering a message.
As we said before, the composition is a key element of good photographs: you should pay a careful attention to the basic elements of composition. In fact, experimented photographers don't think rules. But there are a few tips and very basic rules you can follow when you begin in photography, to succed in well composing your pictures.
Photo composition main rule: the rule of thirds
The main rule in photo composition is the rule of thirds, also called golden rule: the rule of the rules in photography ! Everyone knows about it, few people respect it.
The concept is very simple: to compose properly, always try to place the main subject of your photo (which you want the reader to watch primarily) on a strong point of the image. What is a "strong point of an image" ? Hum, quite simple. Just have a look at the following picture:
Rule of thirds: how to get a good framing?
The intersection points of red lines are the master points of the photography. In most cases, positionning the main subject of the photo on one of these points should be a good thing.
Important note - The rule of thirds also applies to the sky in your compositions! Excepting when shooting a very nice cloudy sky, you shouldn't show a huge area of sky for a very small piece of land, especially if your subject is on the bottom! This is a widespread mistake...
Shooting the look, catching the move...
It is necessary to try, as much as possible, let a subject some space in relation to a subject or a moving object in the composition: leave a bit of field in the direction of the look of a person or an animal, or in front of a mooving subject (car, bike, animal).
How to compose a photgraphy: the grey heron
Asymmetric stuff
You should consider asymmetric composing: it is generally considered more pleasing in a photograph than symmetric balance. Off-center your subjects !
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