Photographic Composition: Part 2

Keep it simple

As with all things in life it's best to keep things simple. The same goes for photography. Often the simplest of images are those that have the largest impact and appeal.The best way to ensure simplicity is to avoid complex backgrounds and unrelated objects in the image. People should know exactly what your image is about. Arrange the other objects in the image so your central subject remains the clear focal point.

Moving closer to your subject is a quick and easy way to ensure that it is the center of interest. You can make your images more dynamic by using a slightly off center placement for your main subject.

Use lines, curves and patterns to grab attention

The use of lines, curves and patterns can be an instant attention grabber. Lines can also be used to direct the viewer to focus on a certain focal point or aspect of the image. This can be used to great effect, especially with architecture photography.

Diagonal lines are a great way of drawing the viewer into the picture or to lead their focus to your main subject. Play around with different angles and viewpoints to see what works best.

Part 3: Framing