I would summarize most of what one might need about composition in a
couple of simple points:

1) Have a primary center of interest, and consider how your composition
works to make this obvious and pleasing. That means knowing what
interests you about a scene, and if it is a particular object, making it
big enough and central to not be obscured by what is less important. On
the other hand, obviously setting is important too.

2) Look for balances. Having a center of interest literally centered in
the photo makes it so prominent that nothing can possible compete.
Sometimes that is OK. But at least as often, interest is created when
there are secondary points of interest as well, and the placement of the
points of interest is balanced across the composition. For instance, a
face that is slightly above center in a portrait might be balanced by a
necklace below center. Or a river balancing a mountain. This is a very
subjective matter, and I'd just say, be aware of it. You want there to
be interesting things in multiple areas of the composition, without
detracting from #1 above.

---------------
Marc Sabatella


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