Dive into a curated selection of four helpful composition guides which we’ve compiled here to help elevate your photographic skills.

These resources unlock the secrets to creating visually striking images, covering essential topics like filling the frame, employing negative space, exploring dynamic angles, harnessing the Fibonacci Spiral, and perfecting images with the crop tool. By the end of this article, we hope that you’ll have the tools needed for intentional, impactful compositions that captivate and engage.

1) My Three Favorite Composition Tools

Kickstarting this roundup – Kevin Landwer-Johan shares his three go-to composition tools that aim to refine the art of framing. First up is ‘Filling the Frame’ to ensure every part of your photo tells a part of the story without unnecessary distractions. Then he explores ‘Negative Space,’ using it wisely to enhance the photo’s main subject or theme. Lastly, ‘Controlled Depth of Field’ is discussed as a technique to focus the viewer’s attention exactly where you want it. Through these tools, Kevin offers a pathway to more intentional and striking compositions. Read more →

2) Using Dynamic Angles for Ultra Impact

Here’s your playbook on enhancing your photography by experimenting with camera angles. This guide details the value of exploring different perspectives to make even the most ordinary subjects appear extraordinary. By advocating for the active use of various focal lengths and positioning — whether it’s getting low to the ground or finding a higher vantage point — Kevin Landwer-Johan encourages photographers to break free from the conventional and inject fresh dynamism into their compositions. This approach not only captivates viewers but also significantly broadens the creative horizons of photographers. Read more →

3) Getting Creative with the Fibonacci Spiral

As you may know, the Fibonacci Spiral, or the Golden Ratio, is a natural pattern that enhances photographic composition beyond the Rule of Thirds. By applying this spiral to frame subjects and guide viewers’ eyes through the image, photographers can create visually appealing and balanced photos. The guide explains the mathematical background, its application in nature and design, and provides practical steps for incorporating the spiral into photography, highlighting its potential to elevate the naturalistic appeal and interest of images. Read more →

4) Using the Crop Tool to Create Better Pictures

Learn all about the crop tool’s simplicity and its power to significantly improve photo composition. Learn the practical uses of the tool in Photoshop and Lightroom, focusing on aspects like cropping for size, adjusting aspect ratios, and the creative reasons behind cropping. It stresses the crop tool’s role in refining framing, emphasizing subjects, removing distractions, and adhering to compositional techniques such as the Rule of Thirds or the Golden Ratio. Jo Plumridge advocates for thoughtful cropping as a means to enhance visual storytelling while also advising photographers to aim for precision in-camera to avoid over-reliance on post-processing. Read more →

Final Note

We hope that a deep understanding and application of these techniques can profoundly enhance the quality and appeal of your photos. From the thoughtful use of negative space and dynamic angles to the sophisticated application of the Fibonacci Spiral and strategic cropping, these guides offer a helpful blueprint for refining your visual storytelling. Embrace these techniques to transform your photographic approach and create more engaging, balanced, and visually stunning images.

If you want to get more in-depth with your compositional skills, we recommend checking out Understanding Composition by our friends at Photzy. Discover the power of composition with this straightforward guide. It’s packed with everything you need to know, from the basics to the why behind each shot. With 120 pages, 25 lessons, 77 images, and 23 assignments, plus a composition checklist, you’ll see your photography in a new light. You can get your copy of the guide here.