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3 Tips to Improve Photo Composition

Photo Composition is a way of guiding the viewer’s eye towards the most important elements of your work, sometimes – in a very specific order.

photo composition
improve photo composition

1. NEGATIVE SPACE

I was on a bike crossing the golden gate bridge in San Francisco and stopped to snap this photo with my iPhone 5.  It was a hazy day. I had negative space in mind, leaving much more sky in the shot than usual. This would be a great photo to add a text overlay or a sticker/ embellishment right on the print.

improve photo composition

improve photo composition

2. FOLLOW MOVEMENT WITH NEGATIVE SPACE

When using negative space with your subject in motion, be sure the empty space is flowing in the direction they are moving or looking. The viewers eye wants to follow the movement, if the negative space is behind the subject, the movement stops.

improve photo composition

3. PERSPECTIVE

Cars Land. Disneyland. I looked down and there was this cool Route 66 graphic in the road, so I snapped a photo. These type of photos can tell a story.

Look up and down and take it all in, you never know what you might see.

improve photo composition
improve photo composition
iPhone TIP: Use the volume button to snap

Your phone is small, it can go places. You don’t always have to be looking in the view finder to snap. Flip your phone upside down or level on the ground and snap away.

VIDEO

Watch this video as I show you how to use framing, leading lines, rule of 3rds and negative space in action! (3:16)

POCKET GUIDE

Download my Composition Pocket Guide, save it to your phone or print a copy to have on hand. Push yourself and be intentional with how you take pictures, you’ll be on your way to producing jaw dropping photos!