Master Composition

Learn how to identify the key elements of a scene and frame professional-level images

Regardless of your choice of exposure, the camera you use or the lighting in your image, the composition of a photograph is the most influential aspect on its success. Looking back at some of photography’s most iconic shots, there are those that are clearly lacking in absolute sharpness, a balanced exposure and ideal lighting, yet they leave a lasting impression on the viewer – despite being far from technically perfect. This is due to the photographer’s inspired choice of framing, which presents the subject in an engaging way and conveys a clear and captivating story.

Composition controls what the viewer sees – it defines the parameters within which visual information is disseminated in the frame by clearly telling your audience what they should be looking at. The image’s composition has the power to alter the viewer’s perception of the subject by showing, hiding or restructuring the environment and context.

While this provides us with boundless opportunities to be creative, and to convey a visual message that adheres to our personal style and character, this capacity to influence a viewer’s emotions can have adverse effects if we are not mindful of all of our subject placement and frame division choices. All facets of a photograph’s structure must be intentional and considered, so that the subsequent effects are predictable and serve to maintain audience engagement.

By studying the impact of our compositional decisions we can be confident that our message is being effectively communicated and that our work will attract repeat views. Here we’ll explore the best ways to structure exciting compositions in all of the main photographic genres, to enable you to produce dramatic images of any subject and any environment.

MASTER THE ESSENTIALS
Familiarise yourself with the fundamental concepts of composition to use as frameworks for creativity