{"id":48898,"date":"2021-04-01T14:41:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-01T18:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=48898"},"modified":"2025-12-11T09:30:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T14:30:45","slug":"basic-photography-composition-techniques","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/basic-photography-composition-techniques\/","title":{"rendered":"Mastering Composition: 10 Essential Techniques Every Photographer Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>We\u2019ve all been there: you return home from a shoot, excited to edit the photos you just took. You connect your memory card to the computer, hit import, and start culling through your images just to find out that your photos lack impact. The images you shot in the field simply don\u2019t do the scene justice. While there are many important elements to a great photograph, one key element that you must get right is the composition. For new and even intermediate photographers, composition can be a major pitfall and one of the most common areas where photographers struggle. Oftentimes, many of the other common photography mistakes, such as overediting, are a symptom of the core problem: poor composition. In this article, we\u2019ll talk about composition and the techniques you can use to capture the perfect scenes in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why is Composition Important in Photography?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Composition is equivalent to the foundation of your house. Without proper composition, no amount of editing can fix your image. When your composition is lacking, it is incredibly difficult to create an image that is impactful. On the other hand, with a great composition, it is very easy to create stellar images.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since photos are two-dimensional and only a single frame, composition plays a huge role in the storytelling aspect of your images. A great composition tells a story, whether it be about the natural world, a person, or the interaction between two different subjects. Composition can help guide the viewer\u2019s eye to different parts of the image, causing the viewer to stay intrigued by the photo or to be uninterested and quickly look away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Makes a Good Composition?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many aspects make up a good composition, and of course, this is partially subjective to the viewer. But every element in a good composition serves a purpose in the scene. The best photographers understand that everything in the image must add to the subject, and if it doesn\u2019t add, it takes away. There is no net-zero element in your images. With this in mind, composition becomes much more peculiar, and can oftentimes feel like the art of subtraction to create the most compelling scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Great compositions are balanced and help the subject stand out from its surroundings. Every great photograph has a subject, whether this be a person, an animal, a mountain, a building, or anything else you can dream up. Consider how you can best position your subject or your camera to place the most emphasis on the subject, and utilize supporting elements to make the composition stronger. While this might seem like a challenge, there are a few basic rules, guidelines, and techniques you can follow to help you create perfect compositions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10 Common Composition Rules and Techniques<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter what your skill level is, these compositional rules will come in handy when you are considering the best way to photograph a subject. As always, these rules are great to follow, but occasionally you\u2019ll want to break the rules, which can still result in excellent compositions. Use these rules more as basic guidelines, but don\u2019t feel too restricted by them if you have an opportunity to think outside the box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rule of Thirds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1009\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rule-of-thirds.png\" alt=\"rule of thirds\" class=\"wp-image-114310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rule-of-thirds.png 1009w, https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rule-of-thirds-300x201.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1009px) 100vw, 1009px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Rule of Thirds is the most widely used and followed compositional rule in the world. So much so that most cameras even give you a rule of thirds grid on the back of your camera\u2019s screen. This rule uses the technique of placing subjects off center to yield a stronger composition that gives you more control over the negative space in your frame. Imagine a 3&#215;3 grid that divides the frame into nine equal parts. Place any focal point in your scene on the intersection of these lines. This helps you to avoid putting everything in the center, which can help your images to be more interesting and creative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Golden Ratio<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Golden Ratio refers to a spiral in the shape of a nautilus shell overlaid on an image. The parts of the image that the spiral passes through are said to provide greater visual impact than other portions of the frame. This ratio exists in countless places in the natural world and is based upon the mathematical concept called The Fibonacci Sequence. To utilize the Golden Ratio, consider placing your subject in a spot that can utilize the spiral with the surrounding elements of your scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1009\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/golden-ratio.png\" alt=\"golden ratio\" class=\"wp-image-114315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/golden-ratio.png 1009w, https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/golden-ratio-300x201.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1009px) 100vw, 1009px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leading Lines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Leading lines are an excellent way to add visual interest to your scene and pull the viewers eye into the frame. The idea behind leading lines is that they give your viewer a path to enter the image from, bringing their eye to the subject. When looking for leading lines, look for objects in the scene that guide the eye inwards towards the subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1013\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/leading-lines.jpg\" alt=\"leading lines\" class=\"wp-image-114313\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/leading-lines.jpg 1013w, https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/leading-lines-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1013px) 100vw, 1013px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Negative Space<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most underrated compositional techniques it to utilize negative space in your images. Many photographers don\u2019t understand the value that negative space has in their image. This can be one of the best ways to add scale or tell a story in your image. To utilize negative space, consider how you can simplify the scene and how negative space can help to give context to a subject in the scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1013\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/neg-space.jpg\" alt=\"A mother leads her calf through tough winter conditions in Yellowstone National Park.\" class=\"wp-image-114311\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/neg-space.jpg 1013w, https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/neg-space-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1013px) 100vw, 1013px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Balance\/Symmetry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Scenes with balance often feel well thought out and are more appealing to look at. Balance can mean many different things in photography, but try to consider the weight of different objects in your frame. If you have an object in the top left corner of the image, can you find something else in the bottom right to balance out the scene? Can you place equal weight on both the left and right, and the top and bottom? This technique works very well when used alongside the Rule of Thirds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/balance-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"trees in the fall\" class=\"wp-image-114319\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/balance-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/balance-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/balance.jpg 1350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Framing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you can\u2019t find anything interesting to surround your subject with, considering framing. Framing is a way that you can use other elements to \u2018frame\u2019 your subject. This could mean shooting through a fence, a tree, or even surrounding your subject with something in the scene. Consider how you can use framing alongside leading lines to create a more compelling composition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"675\" height=\"1013\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/framing.jpg\" alt=\"framing composition example\" class=\"wp-image-114316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/framing.jpg 675w, https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/framing-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 675px) 100vw, 675px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Simplicity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Oftentimes new photographers can over complicate the scene. It\u2019s easy to think that more elements creates a more interesting photo, but our brains don\u2019t like overly complex images because they are hard to digest. Having supporting elements for your subject is important, but don\u2019t overcomplicate the scene and remember that anything that doesn\u2019t add to the scene is actively taking away from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1013\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/simplicity.jpg\" alt=\"northern lights\" class=\"wp-image-114309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/simplicity.jpg 1013w, https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/simplicity-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1013px) 100vw, 1013px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Compression<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider how your position in relation to the subject can effect the composition. Compression is the art of moving back from your subject and zooming in, or moving closer to your subject and zooming out. While this might sound counterintuitive, understand that doing this can help to make the background appear either closer or further away from your subject. This can be a great way to emphasize scale in your images, and can also greatly change the look of your portraits and landscape images.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Untitled-design-1024x576.png\" alt=\"150mm (left) vs 70mm (right) of the same subject.\" class=\"wp-image-114334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Untitled-design-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Untitled-design-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Untitled-design-825x465.png 825w, https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Untitled-design.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>150mm (left) vs 70mm (right) of the same subject.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shoot High or Low<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically, eye level is one of the least interesting heights to shoot from. The most eye-catching photos are those that show a different angle of something that you haven\u2019t seen before. Oftentimes getting lower or higher than your subject can provide more interesting compositions, especially for wildlife, landscape, and cityscape photography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1013\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/high-or-low.jpg\" alt=\"high or low example for composition\" class=\"wp-image-114314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/high-or-low.jpg 1013w, https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/high-or-low-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1013px) 100vw, 1013px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Left to Right Rule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This theory states that we \u2018read\u2019 photographs the same way as we read text: from left to right. If the opportunity is present, try to photograph your scene from left to right. For example, if you have a subject moving in the frame, try to capture them facing and walking to the right, rather than to the left. However, other cultures read differently, so this theory may work opposite in places where text is read from right to left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image-17-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-114303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image-17-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image-17-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image-17-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image-17.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There is a lot to consider when you\u2019re creating thoughtful compositions, and these rules provide a great baseline for new or even intermediate photographers. With that being said, don\u2019t feel like you can\u2019t break these rules, but use them more as a guideline to help you when you feel stuck. Even with the power of post-processing these days, the very first (and arguably most important) step to creating striking images is getting the composition right in the field.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn the basic photography composition techniques. Understand the concepts of symmetrical balance, contrast, the rule of thirds &#038; more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":178,"featured_media":82206,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17779,17780],"tags":[13425,8939,2026,2625,995],"class_list":["post-48898","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-photography-101","category-photography-tips","tag-basic-photography","tag-compositions","tag-contrast-2026","tag-framing-2625","tag-rule-of-thirds-995"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Basic Photography Composition Techniques - Adorama<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn the basic photography composition techniques. 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