Many photographers believe the secret to a great photo lies in getting an expensive camera. While quality gear certainly helps, the truth is that the most breathtaking images are born from composition. Composition is one of the core pillars of photography, a topic we introduce in our guide to photography for beginners. It is about arranging the elements within your frame to create a balanced, compelling and engaging photograph. It’s how you tell a story, and it matters far more than your lens or camera body.
Learning a few fundamental composition techniques can help elevate your photos from simple snapshots to thoughtful works of art. These guidelines will help you see the world in a new way and give you the confidence to create images with purpose and impact.
The Rule of Thirds: Your Foundation for Balanced Photos
If you learn only one composition technique, make it the Rule of Thirds. This is the cornerstone of dynamic photography and is incredibly easy to put into practice.
What is the Rule of Thirds?
Imagine your frame is divided into a 3×3 grid by two horizontal and two vertical lines, like a tic-tac-toe board. The Rule of Thirds suggests that you should place the most important elements of your scene along these lines or at the points where they intersect.
Why does this work? Placing your subject directly in the center can often feel static and dull. By moving your subject off-center to one of these “power points,” you create a more dynamic and visually interesting image that feels more natural to the human eye.
How to Use the Grid on Your Camera
Practically every digital camera and smartphone has a feature to display this grid on your screen.
- On a DSLR or Mirrorless Camera: Look in your menu under “Display Settings” or a similar option. You should find a “Grid Display” or “Gridlines” feature you can turn on.
- On an iPhone: Go to Settings > Camera, and then toggle on the “Grid” option.
- On an Android Phone: Open your Camera app, go to Settings, and look for an option called “Grid lines” or “Grid.”
A simple way to practice this is by enabling a grid after you take a shot. Our guide on how to add a grid to a photo can help you visualize the Rule of Thirds during the editing process.
Putting the Rule into Practice
- For Landscapes: Instead of placing the horizon in the dead center of the frame, align it with either the top or bottom horizontal line. This will either emphasize a dramatic sky or an interesting foreground.
- For Portraits: Position your person along one of the vertical lines. For even greater impact, place their dominant eye directly on one of the upper intersection points.
Other Powerful Composition Techniques
Once you feel comfortable with the Rule of Thirds, you can start incorporating other techniques to add more depth and narrative to your images.
Symmetry and Patterns
While the Rule of Thirds is about avoiding the center, sometimes placing your subject right in the middle creates a powerful, symmetrical image. This works best when the scene itself has strong symmetrical elements, like a long, straight road, a building’s facade, or a reflection in still water.
Also, keep an eye out for repeating patterns. A field of flowers, a stack of bricks, or a collection of similar objects can create a visually satisfying image. For a truly dramatic shot, find a way to break the pattern—a single red flower in a field of yellow ones, for example. These design principles apply everywhere; they are even important when you make a collage on your iPhone, where balance and subject placement are key.
Leading Lines
Leading lines are natural or man-made lines within your photo that guide the viewer’s eye through the scene, typically toward your main subject. These lines create a sense of depth and movement. Look for things like:
- Roads, paths, and railway tracks
- Fences and walls
- Rivers and coastlines
- Bridges and architectural lines
Position your camera so these lines lead from the corner or edge of the frame inward, creating a pathway for the viewer’s gaze.
Framing
This technique involves using elements in the foreground to create a natural frame around your subject. This adds context and a three-dimensional feel to your photo. The “frame” doesn’t have to be a literal window or doorway. You can use:
- Overhanging tree branches
- An archway or tunnel
- Shooting through a gap in a fence
- A person’s shoulder in the foreground
Framing helps to isolate your subject and draws immediate attention to the most important part of the image.
Fill the Frame
Sometimes the most powerful statement you can make is to get close. Filling the frame with your subject eliminates distracting backgrounds and focuses the viewer’s attention on the details, textures, and emotions of the subject. Don’t be afraid to crop in tight, leaving little to no space around the edges. This is highly effective for portraits, food photography, and capturing intricate details.
When to Break the Rules
Think of these techniques as guidelines, not unbreakable laws. The most skilled artists first learn the rules inside and out, which then gives them the knowledge to break them with intention. Once you understand why the Rule of Thirds creates balance, you will know when a centered subject will be more powerful.
Photography is about your personal vision. If a composition feels right to you, go for it. Using certain tools can also help you experiment. For example, using a prime lens, which you can learn about in our guide to different types of camera lenses, can force you to move your feet and think more carefully about your composition instead of just zooming in and out.
Start Seeing the World Differently
The best way to become better at composition is to practice constantly. You don’t even need your camera. As you go about your day, actively look for these elements in the world around you. Notice the leading lines of a sidewalk. See the way tree branches frame a building. By training your eye to see these compositions in real life, you’ll be ready to capture them when you have your camera in hand.