Composition is defined in the dictionary as “the nature of something's ingredients or constituents; the way in which a whole or mixture is made up” and as “a work of music, literature, or art.”

Why composition matters in photography

Within photography, composition is important because it has to do with how the elements within a frame are arranged, and they strongly impact the overall result of a photograph.

Lady Poses In Front Of Old Wooden Door And Stone Wall With A Map

Here are seven ways that composition impacts photography:

Composition guides the viewer through the image

Composition gives the viewer of a photograph a path to look through the image, typically by the way images are arranged within a composition. If you have images from left to right at different depths, the human brain will naturally read the image from left to right looking at the images. Lines and utilizing the rule of thirds will also lead the viewer into and through an image.

Composition creates order, balance, and harmony

When the various subjects or objects in an image are organized with composition in mind, it can create balance and order within the image. The viewer will feel comfortable and at ease as they look around the image, and there can also be a sense of harmony created with the various compositional tools one can utilize within an image.

Portrait Of A Man And A Woman Standing On The Sidewalk In Front Of A Flower Shop Holding A Bouquet Of Flowers And Several Loaves Of Bread

Composition draws attention to the subject

Various compositional tools such as leading lines and framing will help a viewer to easily spot the primary subject of a photo. Imagine a person standing in front of a doorway, they are framed in such a way that you can’t help but notice their placement and presence in the frame.

Young Girl Crouches In A Field Of Red Tulips Looking At One Flower

Composition can enhance mood and emotion

The way in which parts of an image are organized can enhance the mood or add emotion to the image. For example, if a subject is moving out of the frame, or the crop is unusual, it may make the viewer feel concerned or uncomfortable. If a baby is at a slant that makes them look like they will fall, a person may feel worry. In contrast, a smiling subject in the middle of an uncomplicated image will bring joy to a viewer.

Portrait Of A Sign That Says Love On A Bridge Over Water With The Sunset In The Background

Composition adds depth and interest

By utilizing subject placement, in both the foreground and background in relation to the primary subject, a photographer adds significant depth to the image which makes the viewer have a feeling of heightened interest in the image.

Dad Throws Infant Daughter In The Air With Cherry Blossoms In The Background

Composition can create simplicity and clarity

If an artist aims to have a clear and simple message for the viewer to interpret from a photo, utilizing compositional tools such as center composition, negative space, and minimalism can create those feelings of clarity and simplicity.

Portrait Of A Lady Walking On A Street Wearing Glasses And A Head Scarf

If you’d like to learn more about how composition use can add that WOW factor that your photos have been missing, check out my online course ‘Composition and Color’. There is even a complimentary resource on how to consciously utilize composition and color in your work. Check it out!

Learn more

Would you like to learn more about my photography process, and what inspires my work? Check out these articles…