Composition
• Decide what your artistic vision is and stick to it. If you want your composition to be symmetrical, use precision. If you want it to be askew, don’t be tentative. If your execution lacks purpose, you run the risk of producing something that looks like a snapshot versus a photograph with thought behind it.
• The rule of thirds is a mental division of your image into nine congruent squares with four intersection points. I know that math can be scary, but in this case a grid is your best friend. It will guide you in arranging the lines of the composition and choosing the focal point that they lead to.
• Select one subject to focus on (person, place, or thing), and let everything else fade into the background. This will not only create depth but also remove busyness. Going back to the rule of thirds, all supporting elements should lead to the sole focal point.
• Once you’ve taken straight-on photos and loosened up, step outside the box and let your creativity take over. Climb up high or get down low to look at your subject with fresh eyes. If there’s a reflective surface nearby such as a mirror or body of water, experiment with the perspective of the reflection.