Composition is what makes a photograph interesting, and it also keeps your viewer engaged. In order to improve your composition, just follow these tips. If you are just starting out with photography, it may take you a while to develop an "eye" for composition, but don't worry because you will improve.



1. Make sure that you always keep composition in mind. Try not to rely on cropping your photos later. While you can crop your photos later, you will waste a lot of time cropping all of them in order to get an interesting image.

2. You will want to first consider the placement of your subject. You generally want to avoid putting your subject in the middle. Place your subject in a "sweet spot."

To visualize these sweet spots, first think about a blank, rectangular photo. Next, draw 2 vertical lines that break the frame into 3 equal sections. Draw 2 horizontal lines that break the frame into 3 equal sections. There are 4 spots where these lines intersect, and these are called sweet spots. Experiment placing your subject in one of these imaginary sweet spots for a great photo.

3. Lines and texture can be used to draw your view in. Lines will allow the viewer to be guided around the photograph.

If you have a spiral staircase spiraling inward, the viewer will continue to follow that spiral around. If you have blades of grass and rays of sun, the viewer will most likely follow the blades of grass to the top of the photo, and the rays of sun to the bottom of the photo; they will continue this cycle.

When you have a horizon, try to place it above or below the middle. For a strong composition, try using lines from subjects such as railroad tracks, buildings, trees, or ladders.