Composition in photography involves framing the subject and elements within an image. There are 8 common rules of composition: 1) Fill the frame by removing empty space, 2) Eliminate distractions, 3) Follow the rule of thirds by placing subjects off-center, 4) Center subjects to create symmetry, 5) Incorporate leading lines, 6) Leave space around the subject, 7) Create depth with foreground and background elements, and 8) Consider different camera angles beyond straight-on. Following these rules can improve visual interest, balance, and focus on the main subject.

1. COMPOSITION

2. Composition is the
way your subject is
framed inside the
image.
Did you place your
subject in the center,
or off the the right? In
the frame, or partially
out of the frame?

3. 8 Rules of
Composition

4. Keep the viewer’s attention on the
main subject by removing empty
space from the background of
your photo.
Rule 1: Fill the frame
When the background isn’t
adding anything meaningful or
interesting to the picture, crop it
out to focus on the subject.

5. Keep the viewer’s attention on
the main subject by removing
distracting elements from the
photo.
Rule 2: Eliminate distractions
Ugly half balloon … you aren’t adding
anything to the photo’s composition!
Position your
camera so
distracting
objects
aren’t
behind your
subject!
Position your
camera so
distracting
objects
aren’t
behind your
subject!

6. The human eye tends to be more
interested in images that are
divided into thirds, with the subject
falling at or along one of those
divisions.
Rule 3: RULE OF THIRDS
Position key points of the
subject on the intersections
of the grid.

7. The rule of thirds is the most famous composition rule because it
creates a feeling of movement, visual interest, and balance.
Rule 3: RULE OF THIRDS
Without the rule of
thirds, images
seem more “static”
and less dynamic.

8. Rule 3: RULE OF THIRDS
The rule of thirds is the most famous composition rule because it
creates a feeling of movement, visual interest, and balance.

9. Another way to achieve
balance in your image is to
center the subject.
Centering creates symmetry.
Rule 4: CENTER YOUR IMAGE

10. While the rule of thirds creates visual interest and often
conveys a sense of motion, centering an image creates a
feeling of balance and stillness.
Rule 4: CENTER YOUR IMAGE

11. Notice lines that appear naturally
in your scene and frame them in
your shot. Look for spirals and
lines that move from the
foreground to the background.
Rule 5: LEADING LINES

12. Rule 5: LEADING LINES

13. If the subject is not looking forward into the camera lens, there
should be enough space in the photo for your subject to look. In
the same way, if your subject is moving, they should be moving
toward the empty space.
Rule 6: Rule of Space

14. Rule 6: Rule of Space

15. Rule 6: Rule of Space
Movement toward
the empty space.

16. Rule 6: Rule of Space
Remember to give your subject space to breathe!
Cropping too tightly feels claustrophobic and can
make your image look like an icon.

17. Include objects in the foreground, middle, and
background of the image.
Rule 7: CREATE DEPTH

18. Rule 7: CREATE DEPTH
Don’t just shoot the
mountains in the distance:
including something in the
foreground (stones) adds
visual interest and depth.
Our eyes naturally follow the scene from the
stones to the sunset in the distance.

19. Rule 7: CREATE DEPTH

20. Rule 8: CONSIDEr ANGLe
Create more visual interest by
choosing a camera angle other
than “straight on.”
Eye-levelLow-angle High-angle

21. Rule 8: CONSIDEr ANGLe

22. BONUS TIPS!
Don’t cut off people’s
limbs at the joints. You
should also stay away
from cropping the little
appendages like fingers,
toes or even ears.
Use simple
backgrounds to
help the viewer
focus entirely on
the subject. Busy
backgrounds will
cause distraction.