There are many elements in photography that come together to make an image be considered “good”. Elements like lighting, the rule of thirds, lines, shapes, texture, patterns, and color all work well together to add interest and a great deal of composition in photographs.

Successful photos rely on order, and the main elements that bring and emphasize order in a composition are: line, shape, form, texture, pattern, and color. Every photograph, intentionally or not, contains one or more of these element, which are known as the elements of design.

Elements and Principles of Photography

• Pattern. Similarity is a concept that creates a calming effect in its viewers.
• Negative Space. The space behind a subject with no elements that draw the eye.
• Continuity.
• Balance.
• Grouping.
• Closure.
• Color.
• Light/Shadow.

Elements of composition are: patterns, texture, symmetry, asymmetry, depth of field, lines, curves, frames, contrast, color, viewpoint, depth, negative space, filled space, foreground, background, visual tension, shapes. Use one or more of these elements to create a composition that works for your image.

With that in mind, here are the 9 steps for better compositions:

1. Pick a good subject.
2. Choose the size you want.
3. Create your own crop.
4. Think about placement.
5. Control your lines.
6. Balance positive and negative space.
7. Add contrast.
8. Simplify distracting elements.

Build a repeatable process that you can use every time.

1. Apply the Rule of Thirds. No better place to start than the #1 all-time classic composition technique.
2. Center Your Subject.
3. Look for Triangles.
4. Consider Framing.
5. Look for Symmetry.
6. Look for Leading Lines.
7. Use Diagonal Lines.
8. Keep the Background Simple.

15 Composition Tips to Improve Your Photography

1. Have a Vision in Mind.
2. Make Conscious Decisions.
3. Keep It Simple.
4. Watch How the Light Changes.
5. Balance the Composition.
6. Pay Attention to the Edges.
7. Use Contrast and Color Contrast.
8. Know How to Draw the Eye.

Kodak

Top 10 Portrait Photography Composition Tips

1. Fill Your Frame. To eliminate unwanted distractions in your portrait photo, compose your shot so the subject’s face fills the frame.
2. Shallow Depth of Field.
3. Provide Direction.
4. Use Leading Lines.
5. Compositional Framing.
6. Different Angles/Perspective.
7. Get Creative with Colour.
8. Break the Rules.

The portrait size chart generally has 8 inches by 10 inches (width by height) with a frame size of 11 inches by 14 inches. Best for a self-portrait or single character portraits, small canvas painting generally needs 2.5 inches of face dimensions to maintain a minimum threshold of visibility.

What is a portrait model? Your portrait model is the subject in front of your camera. While there is a myriad of ways of capturing the mood, emotion and personality of your subject, you can’t get far in portrait photography without any models.

There are essentially four approaches that can be taken in photographic portraiture—the constructionist, environmental, candid, and creative approach.

Here are the 10 different types of portrait photography you should know.

• Traditional Portraits.
• Lifestyle Portraits.
• Environmental Portraits.
• Candid and Street Portraits.
• Glamour & Boudoir Photography.
• Fine Art Portraits.
• Conceptual Portraits.
• Surreal Portraits.

Realism is an art style that focuses on making pieces look as realistic and true-to-life as possible. Think of realistic portraits, landscapes, and still life paintings. While the subjects may sometimes appear somewhat stylized, realism seeks to present subjects as they look in real life.