Composition in Photography for Beginners

Composition in photography is a key part of learning how to create strong photographs for beginners.

It can give your images a sense of organisation and draw the viewer’s eye to the most important elements.

Most beginners start taking pictures by focusing on technical settings like shutter speed or aperture, but as soon as you begin to explore composition rules, your photos will often feel more deliberate and professional.

This beginners guide will help you understand common composition rules in photography and how to use them in everyday shooting.

We will look at the rule of thirds, golden ratio, rule of odds, golden triangle, negative space, fill the frame, framing, leading lines, diagonal lines, centre of frame, off-centre, and symmetry.

By learning these rules in photography and trying them out, you can bring more impact and clarity to your pictures. The idea is not to apply them blindly but to keep them in mind when you frame a shot.

They will also help you develop the “photographer’s eye” and eventually you will know when it’s appropriate to break these composition rules in photography for beginners.

What Is Composition In Photography

Before we get into the composition rules, it helps to define what composition actually is.

In photography, composition is how you arrange all of the visual elements in your frame. This includes the subject, background, shapes, lines, and any points of interest.

Even though photography isn’t always capturing subjects that are staged, you as the photographer still choose where to stand, how to angle the camera, and when to press the shutter.

All these choices shape your composition.

Some compositions will feel balanced and aesthetically pleasing, while others might look confusing or distracting.

By learning these composition rules, you can find simpler ways to direct the viewer’s attention while make your images feel more intentional.

Rule Of Thirds

The rule of thirds is one of the most common composition rules in photography for beginners to get to grips with.

It’s all about dividing your frame into a grid of nine equal parts by imagining two vertical and two horizontal lines across your viewfinder or screen.

These lines create four intersections.

The rule of thirds says that if you place your main subject or points of interest near or on these intersections, your image can look more balanced than if you put everything in the centre.

It helps to break the habit of always centring the subject.

For example, if you are photographing a person against a landscape, you could place them near one of the intersections, leaving the rest of the frame for the scenery.

This usually gives a more natural feel than putting the person dead-centre.

The rule of thirds can also apply to horizons. Instead of placing the horizon across the middle of the frame, you can position it along the top or bottom third line, depending on whether you want to emphasise the sky or the ground.

The rule of thirds is not a fixed rule that you must follow every time. But it can be a pretty good guideline if you’re not sure how to position your subject.

Lots of cameras and even phones have a grid overlay you can switch on, which can help you practise the rule of thirds with guidance.

If you want your composition to feel balanced and a bit more interesting, try placing main elements off-centre rather than right in the middle.

Golden Ratio

The golden ratio is a more mathematical approach to composition.

It comes from a specific ratio, approximately 1.618 to 1, that appears in nature and has been used in art and architecture for centuries. Ever heard of the Fibonacci sequence?

In photography terms, it is similar to the rule of thirds grid but arranged according to the golden ratio.

The golden spiral is a spiral shape that expands at the rate of the golden ratio.

Some photographers use the golden ratio to place key points of a photo where the spiral or grid lines suggest.

This can help you create an image that feels more natural and pleasing to the eye than the rule of thirds alone.

However, it can be a bit more technical to apply in practice, since you do not always have a golden spiral overlay in your camera.

Some editing tools let you crop using the golden ratio, so you can experiment with it after taking the shot.

While not everyone relies on it and it’s not the most common method, the golden ratio can be a pretty nice alternative to the rule of thirds. I’ve just never really been the best at maths, so don’t get me to explain it in too much detail please!

Rule Of Odds

The rule of odds suggests that having an odd number of elements in your frame can look more appealing than an even number.

For example, imagine you are photographing three doughnuts in a row versus four doughnuts in a row. The three doughnuts feels a bit more natural and balanced, since the middle doughnut is surrounded by one doughnut on each side.

With four doughnuts, you might struggle to find a natural grouping, or one side might look heavier. So if you’re about to photograph four doughnuts, definitely eat one first for better composition!

This idea can apply to loads of photography subjects though: three stones on a beach, five strawberries on a plate, or seven birds on a branch etc.

It works because an odd number breaks symmetry, forcing the viewer to focus on the central item while still keeping a bit of balance.

I’ve seen this rule used a lot in food photography but you can extend it to any scenario with multiple subjects.

If you have a chance to rearrange objects, try grouping them in threes or fives. If you are out in nature, you can shift your angle slightly so that your frame includes an odd count of a specific element.

Golden Triangle

The golden triangle is another alternative to dividing your frame.

In this method, you draw a diagonal line from one corner of the frame to the opposite corner, then draw two lines from the other corners so they meet the diagonal line at right angles. Still with me?

Here’s an example:

Now you have a set of triangles inside your frame.

The idea is to position your main subjects or lines along these triangles. This can create a sense of stability or movement, depending on how the lines lead the eye.

Like the golden ratio, it can be more advanced, since you need to visualise these lines instead of using a in-camera guide.

But if you have a strong diagonal in your shot, such as a road or a fallen tree, the golden triangle can help you compose around that.

Some editing software also allows you to overlay the golden triangle when cropping, letting you place elements exactly along those lines.

The golden triangle can suit images that have strong diagonals or angles, and it can be a refreshing change from just vertical and horizontal grids.

Negative Space

Negative space means leaving empty or plain areas in your frame that surround or contrast with your main subject.

For instance, if you photograph a person standing against a wide, blank wall, that blank area is negative space.

Or if you place a small object against a large sky. Negative space can make your subject stand out more and give a sense of scale.

Using negative space isn’t advanced at all. It’s pretty easy to practise.

It is about being comfortable with areas of your photo that aren’t filled with detail.

Sometimes people worry their frame looks too empty, but if the subject is clear and the empty space helps direct focus to it, negative space can be quite powerful.

For beginners, this approach can teach you to avoid clutter and to think about how background and surroundings affect your photo’s mood.

Negative space can also work in minimalistic images, and it works really well in colour themed images, black and whites and anything with strong contrast.

Fill The Frame

Filling the frame is the opposite of negative space.

With this composition rule, you let your subject take up the entire image, leaving little background.

This can work well for portraits, macro shots, or abstracts where you want the viewer to notice the details up close.

By filling the frame, you remove distractions.

You can also emphasise patterns or expressions that might be lost if you shoot from a distance.

One method is to physically move closer to your subject rather than zooming in, which is essential if you’re using prime lenses.

If you can fill the viewfinder with a person’s face, you capture every detail and create an immediate impact. If you are photographing flowers, getting as close as possible can show all the smaller details.

Filling the frame suits subjects where detail and texture matter. It can also be a good way to shift from wide shots to more intimate moments, giving you variety in your overall photo set.

Framing

Framing uses other elements in the scene to create a frame around your subject.

For example, you might stand under an archway so the arch surrounds the person or object you are photographing.

Tree branches, doorways and windows can form a natural frame.

Framing draws the viewer’s eye to what they’re meant to be focusing on, highlighting your subject inside the frame. It can also add depth, because you have something in the foreground leading to the main subject.

When looking for frames, keep an eye out for shapes or outlines that can enclose your subject.

It might be a gap in a hedge, a pair of overhanging branches. Place your subject in that clear space so it is visually “framed” by the edges. Make sure the frame does not overpower the subject though. If the frame is too cluttered, it kind of defeats the point.

Leading Lines

Leading lines are lines in the image that guide the viewer’s eye toward a particular point.

In landscapes, a road or a stream might lead from the bottom of the frame toward the horizon.

In city shots, railway tracks (but please don’t go on the tracks like a numpty) or rows of lamp posts can do the same.

For a woodland, a fallen log or a line of trees might create nice leading lines.

Leading lines don’t have to be straight. A winding river can also lead the eye.

To use leading lines, place them so they start near a corner or edge of the frame, and direct them toward your main subject.

The point is that when someone looks at your photo, they unconsciously follow these lines, ending up where you want them to look.

Leading lines can add structure, help break up empty areas, and give a sense of perspective.

If you see a path in front of you, try kneeling or placing the camera lower to the ground. That can make the path appear more prominent, leading the eye from the bottom of the frame into the distance.

Diagonal Lines

Diagonal lines rule in photography are a variation of leading lines, but they specifically run at an angle rather than straight up and down or side to side.

They add energy or tension, because diagonal lines suggest movement or change.

For example, a diagonal line could be a slanted tree, the angle of a hillside, or even the way a person’s body is positioned.

Placing your subject along a diagonal can make your photo look less static.

Sometimes a single strong diagonal, like a stream curving through a field, is enough to give your composition an extra bit of pizzazz.

Centre Of Frame

Centre of frame compositions put the subject right in the middle of the image.

Many photographers warn against doing this all the time, because it can look basic or too predictable. However, there are times when centring the subject works really well. And you know what? I love it!

For example, if you have a symmetrical background or you want to emphasise a direct, bold statement, placing your subject in the centre can feel strong and straightforward.

It can also work well for portraits when you want a face to be the main focus, or if you are aiming for a minimal composition with a single subject against a plain background.

If you centre your subject, double-check the edges of the frame to ensure there is nothing distracting. An uneven or cluttered background might also throw off the image.

Off-Centre

Off-centre compositions place the subject anywhere other than the middle.

This approach often feels more natural to the viewer’s eye. Whether you use the rule of thirds lines or just place the subject near the edge, off-centre placement can create a sense of space or movement in the frame.

It can also let you show more of the background, which is useful if the setting itself is interesting.

Off-centre is also good when you have a person looking or walking in one direction. You leave space in front of them, so the viewer imagines them moving or looking into that empty space.

Symmetry

Symmetry is when both halves of the frame almost mirror each other, either left to right or top to bottom.

Your subject reflected in water is a good example. Or two lines of trees opposite each other.

Symmetry is aesthetically pleasing to a lot of people. It draws them in because everything in the image evens out.

Look for symmetrical scenes like corridors, arches, or reflections on a calm lake.

Position yourself so that the centre line splits the frame equally.

If you are off by a bit, the symmetry might look broken.

Though it can take some care to line everything up, symmetrical photos often have a strong impact. Just avoid any clutter that disrupts the image.

How to Blend Photography Composition Rules for Beginners

Knowing these composition rules can be helpful, but you do not need to try them all at once. The point is to understand a range of techniques so you can pick the right one for each situation.

Sometimes you might combine a couple of them, like using leading lines that guide to a subject off-centre, or combining negative space with the rule of thirds.

As a beginner, it’s normal to start with simpler ideas like the rule of thirds or leading lines, then practise more advanced photography rules later.

Try different rules in photography in the same scenario to practise. Take a shot with a subject in the centre, then reposition to place it off-centre.

Compare the results to see which approach you prefer.

Over time, you will develop a sense of which composition suits the mood or subject. Breaking these rules is also fine once you know how to use them. Some of the best photos break composition rules intentionally to create a distinct look or feeling but you really need to know basic composition before you can do this.

Composition Photography Editing Tips For Beginners

Even if you compose carefully in-camera, you can make small tweaks during editing.

Cropping is a common way to refine composition.

You might shift the position of your subject slightly by cropping the frame so it matches the rule of thirds or the golden ratio etc.

Straightening an image is also important if you want symmetry or leading lines to look correct. If the horizon is off by a few degrees, a quick bit of straightening can fix it.

Watch for distractions in the corners or edges of your frame.

If there is a bright object drawing attention away from your subject, you could crop it out or use a healing or clone tool to remove it.

You can also adjust brightness or colour in different parts of the frame to emphasize your main subject.

I would heavily advise you not to rely too heavily on cropping or editing as a fix for poor composition.

Aim to get as much right as you can when you take the picture. Editing should be a finishing touch, not a complete rescue. But it can help you learn.

By experimenting with crops, you can train your eye to see how a different photography composition can affect the final photo, which beginners can really benefit from.

Over time, you will start framing properly in the moment, with less need for editing.

Final Thoughts on Composition Rules in Photography for Beginners

Composition rules in photography can make a big difference in how your photos look as beginners. They give you a guide to organise the elements within your frame and keep the viewer’s attention on what matters.

Whether you use the rule of thirds, golden ratio, negative space, or another method, the point is to build a clear, pleasing image that tells the story that you want.

As a beginner, it is normal to try these rules, compare your results, and figure out which ones speak to you.

With practice, you will make these decisions instinctively without even thinking too hard about it, and your photography will become more consistent.

Remember that you do not have to follow these rules strictly.

They are guidelines.

If your shot works better by breaking one of them, then do so with intention.

The value of learning composition rules is that it gives you options. The next time you go out with your camera, see if the rule of thirds or negative space might give you a stronger result than centring everything. Or look for leading lines that can direct the viewer’s eye.

Over time, you will be more confident at deciding each photo’s composition and you will produce images that are both visually appealing and personal to your own style.