Composition

You may remember last month we brought you Wendy's photo chllenge on leading lines. Within this post we spoke briefly about vanishing points; the point in the distance where parallel lines seem to meet. We've just…

A sense of visual balance is essential in a photograph, without it we find the image unsatisfying. Balance is achieved with a combination of symmetry and harmony. Symmetry is generated by placing one large, single subject…

PERSPECTIVE We usually want our two-dimensional photographs to appear three-dimensional. Knowing how to take full advantage of your camera's controls is important, but the key to producing dramatic pictures lies with the design…

Photographs by Adrian Stone  Portraits of children and pets are often taken by adults standing up. This viewpoint diminishes the power of the subject, so they appear submissive and vulnerable. So try shooting upwards at your…

Photograph by Hao-Wu 'Runner' Beijing, China In the image above, Hao Wu has generated a great sense of drama in his photograph. He took the image from just above street level. This viewpoint increases the image's…

Photo by Swapnali Mathkar 'Fire in water, Salt Lake, Utah, USA Leading lines within a photograph help to draw the viewer's attention to a specific element, or to tell a story as a journey. They are…

Reflection Beijing taken by Hao Wu Architectural photographs of tall buildings often need to be taken when you are fairly close to them, so how can you avoid converging verticals? To reduce the effect, move back as…

The following set of tutorials draw on the compositional elements of images taken in a variety of settings across the world. They vary in their content, style and impact. What they all have in common…

The 'Rule of Thirds' can help create natural balance in your photograph and add to its impact.

This article takes a look at some of the twentieth century's most celebrated photographers and how they use composition to enhance the feeling of their photographs.