An introduction to composition

Basic guidelines and techniques for photographic composition

How to compose your picture?

In this awesome lesson we will talk about how to take better, more attractive photos with minimal effort!

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Let’s begin with the basics

Below you’ll find a few simple, basic guidelines for composing your photos.

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Summary:

Your photo should have a subject.
Make sure that subject is not just “out there”, but carefully positioned within the frame of your photo.

Let’s move on!

The three principal composition tpyes

Diagonal composition
Center composition
The golden ratio / rule of thirds

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Summary:

In most cases it’s worth following some kind of “rule” when composing your photo
Certain composition “rules” are somehow more pleasing to the human eye/brain
You can decide to apply a combination of these guidelines (more on this later)

A few examples of center composition:

A handful of clever tips for composing your photo:

Protect your composition
Use off-center positioning
Include leading lines

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Summary:

The basics of photographic composition are very easy to learn, and you can make substantial progress in the blink of an eye!
Consciously composing your photos will help you make them more meaningful, unique, interesting and straightforward.

A good example of protecting the composition. Check out the precise position of the horse’s legs: their forms don’t touch or cut into each other at all.