First steps to learn composition in photography.

Photography is communication... probably one of the most effective forms of communication, capable of bringing whole universes to life in a two-dimensional space, arousing emotions, memories, creating trends and even influencing the viewer.

To get the most out of the image we are shooting, we need a perfect mix of knowledge that starts from a skilful mastery of one's equipment to the use of light and from a set of rules which constitute the " rules of composition ", which define the position of the various elements in the frame, based on what we want to convey.

Although they are rules, they blend intrinsically with the creativity of each of us, with the way we see reality, with how we want to reproduce it and tell it according to our point of view, using tools that we are all able to understand: a sort of non-verbal universal language, based on ancestral rules, which have been part of human culture since the beginning of time, capable of activating a series of unconscious mental processes which lead to the deciphering of the message.

Precisely because of this substantial relationship with the personal vision of the world, rivers of ink have been spilled on this subject, therefore, what we would like to do is only a small compendium of the main rules of photographic composition that will allow you to make a qualitative leap to your photographs .

We were just talking about ancestral rules... this is a really important element to start from. Our eye captures the image, but it is the brain that processes it, interprets it and makes us "see", looking for patterns it already knows within the image itself, making combinations of shapes and colors by combining them among them. This is one of the reasons why we instinctively find some images more appealing than others… it's not just the subject that is appealing, but above all it's their position within the frame.

Before starting our summary, we would like to make a necessary clarification. The rules exist because they are part of the fundamental training of every photographer, but as often happens for any artistic expression, the rules also exist to be broken, but only after having learned and metabolized them.

Why is composition important?

The composition of your photograph has an impact on how it is perceived by others. When you choose what to put in the frame and what to leave out, where to place each element and so on, you are capturing a scene with your own unique vision.

That's why it's important to compose your photos carefully!

Basic techniques and concepts for composition in photography

We are instinctively drawn to well-composed images.

Why? Because we find them harmonious or interesting! However, we are not so naturally adept at creating striking compositions.

That's why photographers have developed guidelines and basic concepts for composition that can quickly improve photographic compositions – without requiring years of experience.

Starting with the rule of thirds.

The rule of thirds in photographic composition

You've probably heard of the rule of thirds – or at least you've seen it. This is because most cameras, including the one on your smartphone, have a rule of thirds grid overlaid on them.

The Rule of Thirds grid is made up of four lines – two vertical and two horizontal – placed an equal distance from each other and from the edges of the photo (so the frame is divided into thirds).

But what exactly is the rule of thirds?

It's a guideline that states that you should place compositional elements along grid lines – and that the focal point of your composition should be at one of the intersection points of the grid lines.

You can follow this rule in both portrait and landscape orientations, and it works for all types of photography. For example, if you're doing a full-body portrait, you'll often want to position your subject toward one of the grid lines and not in the center.

And when photographing a landscape, the horizon should be placed towards the upper or lower third of the image and never in the centre.

Note that the rule of thirds is a guideline, not a real rule . Once you've mastered it, I suggest you try to violate it with other concepts – like symmetry, or even more complex techniques like the golden ratio.

Guidelines

The guidelines direct the viewer through the image, thus:

When reading a text in Italian, it automatically starts at the top left. Then continue to the right to the end of the row.

The same thing happens in photography. When we see an image, we also “read” it. The eye goes from one element to another – to see the details and understand the story being told. This is where guidelines come in: They guide the eye through the image.

Leader lines can be present or implied, and can be straight or curved. For example, a guideline might be a curving road that leads into the mountains. This will force viewers to follow the road, drawing them into the image.

Textures

Texture is often overlooked as an element of composition. You can use it to create a contrast between two elements – one smooth and one rough, for example.

You can also use texture to create interesting shapes and guidelines, or to add interest to an otherwise boring subject.

To work with textures, you need to consider the type and direction of light. Hard light coming from the side will emphasize the texture. A soft light coming from the front flattens the surface.

The repetition of motifs and their breaking

One of the elements that makes a photo absolutely fascinating is to find a repetitive pattern that becomes the subject of the image itself. This could be the sidings of a station, the ripples of sand dunes, or as in the case of the next photo, the flawlessly repeated movement of marching soldiers.

Equally fascinating, and certainly effective, is the ability to find a break within a pattern of repeated elements... the image will immediately appear interesting and attention will focus especially on the element that breaks the pattern.

Color

Color is a key consideration for composition in photography. There are so many color harmonies that you have endless possibilities!

You can use complementary colors to create contrast and make your subject stand out. And you can throw seemingly unrelated elements together that are united through a color scheme.

A good way to learn and understand color palettes is Adobe Color . You can use this tool even if you don't have an Adobe subscription.

Just select a color wheel with different color harmony rules, such as monochromatic, complementary, etc. You can also upload a photograph to extract the color scheme or gradient. And to stay up to date, you can browse trends powered by Adobe Stock and Behance.

My favorite tool in Adobe Color is Explore, where you can enter a concept or mood and see the colors that represent it (with more examples from the visual arts).

Form

As photographers, we're used to thinking of ways to add depth to a two-dimensional surface. Because of this, it's easy to overlook the importance of shapes. Yet when you're composing your images, you can use shapes to establish a neat arrangement.

Think of a cake photographed from above - it's a circle. If you cut off a slice, then you're adding a triangle to the composition.

Each shape gives a different feel to our photographs. For example, squares convey stability, while circles suggest movement and energy.

That's why posing a group for a corporate portrait usually means forming squares or rectangles, while family portraits are often posed in triangles or dynamic shapes.

A good way to practice shape-based composition is to use shadows or photograph silhouettes. In this way, any three-dimensionality is eliminated and the focus is only on the shape of the objects.

Symmetry

Symmetry is defined as something that is exactly the same on both sides, such as the top of a mountain or the trunk of a tree. And it can work great in art – provided you use it carefully.

Note that, in art, a scene is rarely 100% symmetrical. Instead, you end up with scenes that are nearly symmetrical and are well balanced on both sides.

Let's take a portrait as another example. If you photograph a face perfectly centered in the frame, your image will be symmetrical. It doesn't matter if the subject has a birthmark on one of their cheeks, or if one of their eyes is slightly lower than the other – symmetry will dominate.

One of the reasons we find symmetry so appealing is because we often find it in nature. And psychologically speaking, symmetry offers a sense of order that makes us feel at ease.

(A great way to play with symmetry in your photography is to photograph reflections or patterns!)

The natural frames

The shot within the shot. As with lines, our brain is naturally drawn to the enclosed, framed element. Try to use natural or artificial elements that can enclose your subject.