In this lesson: Learn basic compositional techniques that allow you to create images that are both interesting and varied

Studying and practicing rules of composition – and learning when to break them – will help you create images that are more visually compelling and interesting for people to view.

Visual composition is based on tried and true rules and techniques for placement of elements in the image, how the subject is framed, the aspect ratio that’s best to use, and so on. We explored another one of these fundamental rules – the Rule of Thirds – in the previous lesson. Like any other practice, however, learning when to break the rules can actually be as important as knowing the rules themselves. What’s more, putting too much emphasis on rules can suppress your creativity and result in mundane images.

While learning when to follow the rules and when to break them is a matter of experimentation, experience, and personal preference, let’s examine a few essential composition tips that might help you improve your images.

Fill the Frame

Filling the frame refers simply to the practice of getting close to your subject such that it is prominent in the photograph. The sample image of the red peppers illustrates this concept – rather than standing back a few feet and photographing the peppers such that they are but one aspect of many in a shot, the photographer chose to get up close and fill the frame with the peppers. Doing so allows the subject to have more prominence in the photo, and the details of the subject are in full view.

Beware: When filling the frame, there is such a thing as getting too close. Regardless of whether your subject is a person, a pet, food, a plant, or something in between, you’ll need to experiment with just how much of the frame is filled. When using this technique, strive to fill the frame only with necessary subject matter.

Breaking the Rule

Looking at the sample image of a little boy pretending to be an airplane, we can see how breaking the “fill the frame” suggestion can still make for a compelling photo. Though the little boy comes nowhere near filling the frame, our eye is nevertheless drawn to him because he’s such a strong subject. In this case, not filling the frame was a better choice because there is implied action – he’s moving toward the background – and the sense of space in the frame is a nice complement to the notion of flying.

Simplify the Composition

Related to filling the frame is simplifying the composition. It’s necessary to remove unneeded objects from the shot, lest the viewer become overwhelmed with all the visual stimulation in the image. Often, simple compositions are the strongest, so strive to have a strong subject with a few supporting elements that enhance the subject’s strength.

Taking the image of the building as a prime example, we can see how framing the shot such that the building’s bright colors and curved facade take center stage helps make this a highly compelling photo. Even though it’s a very simple composition, it’s still very interesting, with plenty of elements to attract the eye and move it around the frame.

Breaking the Rule

However, note that sometimes a more complicated composition can still make for a good photo. The image of a family baking together is a prime example of this concept. Though much is going on in the image – there are multiple subjects, action is taking place, and there are a number of props – the image is still compelling and tells a strong story about these individuals and the fun that they are having.

Match the Format to the Subject

One of the simplest compositional rules in photography is to match the format to the subject. That is, if the subject is tall and thin, like a skyscraper, shoot vertically. If the subject is short and wide, like a landscape, shoot horizontally. By matching the format to the subject, you can better emphasize its primary features.

For example, in the sample image of the Freedom Tower, a vertical aspect suits the scene perfectly because the image accentuates the height of the tower in relation to its surroundings. It also allowed the photographer to incorporate more foreground area, which, in this case, is important because it allowed for the inclusion of the sailboat to add a bit of whimsy to the shot.

Breaking the Rule

Of course, breaking this rule can also result in compelling images. Sticking with the skyscraper theme, note that in the sample image of the group of skyscrapers that a horizontal aspect has been used, even though the subjects are very tall and thin. Yet, the horizontal format works well because, with the wider view, we’re better able to see the relationship between each of the buildings as opposed to just highlighting a single structure.

Challenge Activity

Using the techniques listed above, you will create a series of images under the conditions listed below, then compare the results to see how applying (and breaking) these rules can result in wildly different photos.

Step 1: Mount your camera to a tripod and take a photo of a houseplant. Then, get closer. Take another shot using the same settings. Note how filling the frame in the second shot has impacted the photo. In this case, which of the two photos is better? Why?

Step 2: Take a portrait of a friend or a loved one in front of a busy background (i.e. something with lots of different colors, textures, shapes, and so on). Then, take a second shot, but this time of the same person in front of a simplistic background, like a wall painted a muted color. Note the difference between the two. Which one highlights the subject better?

Step 3: Find a landscape scene and take a photo using a traditional horizontal format. Then, take another photo, but this time rotate the camera 90 degrees to shoot the subject vertically, as was done in the sample landscape image of the mountains and lake. Again, note the differences in the look and feel of the images depending on how the image is formatted.

Step 4: Consider how you might recompose any of the photos taken above to make a more impactful photograph. For example, challenge yourself to frame a subject from far away, yet make an image that is just as compelling as one in which the subject fills the frame. Additionally, challenge yourself to create images by breaking the other rules to see how creative you can get.