What Is Composition in Photography?

Read everything you need to know about composition here

Have you just bought a new camera, but are you still struggling to take great photos? Or do you simply want to get the most out of your camera and grow as a photographer? Then it’s important to pay attention to composition. Composition is one of the fundamental principles of photography and can make the difference between a photo that looks professional and one that feels a bit amateurish. That’s why you’ll find the most important tips for creating strong compositions here.

Meaning of composition

Composition is an important concept in photography. It refers to arranging different subjects or elements in a certain way so they form a unified image — also known as the image composition. In photography, composition means creating order within a scene filled with different elements, allowing you to guide the viewer’s attention. A strong composition determines the mood and impact of a photo. To create this sense of order, you can use two common principles: the rule of thirds and the golden ratio.

The rule of thirds

With the rule of thirds, you divide the image you want to photograph into nine equal sections by drawing two horizontal lines and two vertical lines. You can do this mentally, but many modern cameras also offer the option to use a so-called grid while shooting. The rule of thirds helps you create a more balanced image that feels more pleasing to the viewer. In addition, it allows you to create more dynamic and intriguing photos. Here’s how it works:

Imagine you are in a forest and you spot a rabbit sitting in the grass that you simply have to capture with your camera. How do you photograph the little animal in the best possible way?

As you can see, placing the rabbit in the center of the frame does not create a very interesting image. Yes, it is still a cute rabbit, but there are better ways to capture it. For example, you can place the rabbit on one of the points where the grid lines intersect. This creates a more engaging and visually appealing composition.

You can also create an even more balanced image by aligning the lines within the photo with the lines of the grid. In this photo, that has already been done quite well. The lower horizontal line aligns nicely with the area in the image where the grass is in focus, and the left vertical line aligns neatly with the tree in the background.

Examples of the rule of thirds

In landscape photography, the rule of thirds creates a greater sense of balance and calm within the image. In this photo, the field aligns with the lower horizontal line, while the intersections of the grid lines coincide with elements such as trees or the point where the mountain meets the sky.

When photographing people or animals, you can also take the lines of the body into account. In this image, the lower horizontal line aligns nicely with the longest part of the tiger’s body. In addition, the grid lines intersect exactly at one of the tiger’s eyes. This technique naturally draws the viewer’s attention to that point.

Rules are meant to be broken

Although these rules will almost always help you create a strong photo, it does not always pay off to follow them strictly. Sometimes, breaking the rules can actually lead to a much more creative result. So try out these principles and see how they work for you, but don’t be afraid to break the rules as well.

Composition in video

Composition helps you create order within photos and guide the viewer’s attention. This is very important for strong photography, but it is also incredibly important in video. In fact, composition is what helps create the most intriguing shots in your favorite series and films.

Take movies like The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), for example, where composition is used very cleverly to create a distinct aesthetic. Or think about a series like Game of Thrones, where composition is used to tell the viewer more about a character. Powerful characters are often filmed from a low angle to make them appear larger and more dominant, while submissive characters are filmed from above to make them seem smaller and weaker. Learn more about these techniques — which can also be applied to photography — in the video below.

Short & Simple

This video briefly explains what framing and composition are.

So, now you know the basics of composition. You can start experimenting with the rule of thirds or the golden ratio to create interesting and well-balanced photos and videos, but don’t forget to break the rules every now and then and simply have fun with your camera. After all, that’s often when you capture the very best shots.