Composition is visual grammar. Start with big shapes and light direction, then place the subject where the story reads cleanest.
Rule of Thirds
- Imagine a 3×3 grid; place key elements on lines or intersections.
- Great for horizons and off-center subjects.
- Break it when symmetry or central gaze is stronger.
Exercise: shoot centered vs thirds. Which reads faster?
Don’t force thirds if it harms balance or cuts edges.
Leading Lines
- Use roads, paths, fences, rivers, light rays to guide the eye.
- Lines should lead to the subject or main area of interest.
Diagonals add energy; horizontals feel calm; verticals feel strong.
Background & Distractions
- Scan edges and background; simplify if busy.
- Move feet / change height to detach clutter from the subject.
- Open aperture or use longer focal lengths to soften mess.
Watch for objects “growing” out of heads, bright blobs, and text.
Depth (FG/MG/BG)
- Add a belonging foreground for scale and place.
- Control separation with aperture; f/5.6–8 keeps context without chaos.
- Haze and light layering add natural depth.
Exercise: add/remove a foreground detail and compare.
Framing
- Use doorways, arches, branches, shadows for a frame-within-frame.
- Keep the frame relevant; don’t overpower the subject.
A darker frame around a lighter subject concentrates attention.
Filling the Frame
- Move closer to remove distractions and assert subject dominance.
- Leave breathing room in the direction of gaze or motion.
Over-tight crops amputate details or context.
Negative Space
- Use empty areas to give the subject room to breathe and shape mood.
Exercise: compose with ~60% negative space; keep the subject small but clear.
Symmetry & Patterns
- Center strong symmetry; keep horizons/verticals true.
- Break a pattern to create a focal point.
Reflections (water, glass) make symmetry easy—mind polarizers.
Viewpoint / Angle
- Change height and position—each shift rewrites shapes and lines.
- Low angles empower; high angles de-emphasize or reveal patterns.
Exercise: one scene × five angles before choosing the keeper.
Balance & Visual Weight
- Bright, high-contrast, warm, or detailed areas feel “heavier”.
- Balance a dominant subject with quieter counter-shapes or space.
Hot corners steal attention—darken, crop, or simplify.
Figure–Ground
- Ensure subject luminance/color contrasts the background.
- Wait for clean overlaps; avoid mergers.
Side/back light creates halos and silhouettes—instant separation.
Patterns vs Textures
- Patterns = repeated shapes; textures = fine local detail.
- Raking light reveals texture; frontal light flattens it.
Aspect Ratio & Cropping
- Compose for output: 3:2 (classic), 4:5 (IG), 16:9 (banner), 1:1 (graphic).
- Crop to strengthen flow; don’t crop to “fix” the story—reshoot if needed.
Leave headroom/footroom if multiple output ratios are expected.
Perspective & Lens Choice
- Wide exaggerates distance & lines; tele compresses layers.
- Step, don’t just zoom—position defines relationships between shapes.
Exercise: same subject at 24/50/85mm from adjusted distances.
Quick Diagnosis
- Messy read? simplify background, add separation, reduce palette.
- Weak subject? fill the frame, add gesture, or wait for better light.
- Flat depth? add a belonging foreground or change angle.