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Good photographic composition is the single most important element in your pictures, more important than light, exposure, shutter speed,
in fact anything else at all.
I have divided this topic into two sub-topics: the first is about picture composition in general and consists of four separate tips. The second is about portrait composition
specifically although I plan to do a section on formal portraiture later on.
Basically there are four photo tips here to help you improve your photograph composition: choosing the best angle; foreground interest; correspondence (my
favourite!); and using lines.
Picture composition in art in general needs to be fully understood and practised often before it becomes automatic. These four tips, once you have grasped them fully, will give you a good grounding in the art of creating an interesting photographic composition.
So let's get started with the first photography tip, choosing the best angle.
Traditional Chinese Game (Photo: Anne Darling)
Choosing a different angle from just point-and-shoot can improve your photograhic composition radically.
Bending the knees and getting in closer gives a much more intimate feel, as if you were really there.
Don't be afraid of 'losing' parts of the picture when you move in more closely as this can make it look more interesting.
The fact that the man on the left is in shadow, and his opponent is only half way into the frame, adds a slight edgeyness to the picture even though
conventionally the contrast is unbalanced.
Compare the above photo with the one below, taken from a higher angle. The game is more clearly seen but we have lost the second person. Which do you prefer?
Traditional Chinese Game (Photo: Anne Darling)
Street Vendor, China (Photo: Anne Darling)
Including strong foreground interest leads the eye into the picture and creates a strong photographic composition.
The strong red colour of the chairs in the foreground of this image captivate the viewers' attention.
The upturned chairs are also arranged in such a way that they lead the eye into the centre of the photo.
Although the objects are large and quite dominating, because they have a strong abstract qualtiy and lack detail, they do not overwhelm the central action completely.
Get as close as possible to the objects in the foreground so that you create a greater sense of depth in the photo.
Street Vendor Selling Trinkets (Photo: Anne Darling)
Sometimes you can find a correspondence between two or more elements in a photographic composition which creates a kind of aesthetic pleasure.
In the above photo, there is a striking similarity between the hat on thhe girl and the head-gear of the image on the side of the bus, and also between the trinkets
and the decoration that hangs from the head-gear.
Contrasting elements in a picture are interesting too and in this photo the two faces seems to be opposite to each other - the lady on the left has a down-turned face, while the lady on the right has an up-turned face.
The red background which is the side of the bus serves to hold the whole composition together especially as it is echoed in the colour of some of the trinkets.
Young Boy, Inner Mongolia (Photo: Anne Darling)
The converging lines in the above photo create depth and draw the viewer into the picture.
Converging lines also help to create a sense of distance.
The dog is walking away from the viewer which also adds to the sense of being drawn into the picture.
The two boys and the dog are slightly separated from each other which enhances the composition and, although it is an informal shot, there is a sense of careful positioning.
Although you cannot always choose to position all the elements in your composition, by moving yourself around the scene you can still line things up more to your liking. This takes practice! And the more you practise you more you begin to spot potentially good compositions in advance.
Sampan Boatman, China (Photo: Anne Darling
Basics Photography: Composition
by David Prakel
Amazon Rating 
Whatever other technical skill is involved, if the formal organization of an image is
lacking, there is little to hold the interest of the viewer. But what makes a winning
composition? Is it about following the rules-or about breaking them?
Basics Photography: Composition
is divided into six core chapters that cover everything the beginner needs to know to
improve their composition, including the basics of composition, exploring the formal
elements, how to organize space and time, learning the real world `rules' and, beyond
that, how to use the ideas presented in the book to create original, compelling images.
The book is illustrated throughout with photography to inform the mind and inspire the eyes
including work by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange, James Nachtwey, Martin Parr, Marc Riboud,
David Hockney, Duane Michals, Harry Callahan and John Darwell, and many more.
Photographic Composition: A Visual Guide
by Richard D Zakia
Amazon Rating 
However amazing the subject or technically excellent the photography, the single biggest factor in
deciding whether a photograph is good or bad is how well it is composed.
Photographic Composition: A Visual Guide offers
a unique take on this fundamental issue by offering instruction in a visual format - the book is laid out in a unique spread format of a beautiful image on one page, with an in-depth break down of why the rule of composition works in the image, but also how a photographer can apply it to their own photography.
Inspirational, instructive, and, most importantly, visually stunning and beautiful, photography master Richard Zakia teaches the lessons he has learned from over 40 years as a photographer. This is the book every photographer needs to own in order to create the outstanding images they always wanted to - but didn't know how.
Mastering Photographic Composition, Creativity, and Personal Style
by Alain Briot
Amazon Rating
In Mastering Photographic Composition
Briot approaches fine art photography as being a combination of art and technique. In this new book he addresses both of these by presenting artistic and technical information.
The author practices photography as a fine art. What matters most to him is how photography can be used to express feelings and emotions.
Topics include:
- How to compose with color, with black and white, and with light
- Why you need to consider your audience while composing a photograph
- Recreating the emotions you felt when you captured your photographs
- How the elements of color - hue, contrast, and saturation - work in your images
- How to control the elements that have a visual effect in your photographs
- How to draw upon your personal way of seeing and then share your vision
- How to diagnose image maladies and apply the proper remedies
- How to define a color palette for a specific photograph
- How to use compositional elements to develop a personal style
Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography
by Bryan Peterson
Amazon Rating
 Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography
takes you beyond seeing in the conventional sense, and helps to develop your photographic vision.
Learning to See Creatively helps photographers visualize their work, and the world,
in a whole new light.
The author explains how it is not some gift only for the "chosen few"
but actually a skill that can be learned and applied. Using inventive photos from his own stunning
portfolio, veteran photographer Bryan Peterson deconstructs creativity for photographers.
He details the basic techniques that went into not only taking a particular photo, but also
provides insights on how to improve upon it, helping readers avoid the visual pitfalls and
technical dead ends that can lead to dull, uninventive photographs.
This revised edition features the latest information on digital photography and digital imaging software, as
well as an all-new section on color as a design element.
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