Master the basics of photography composition.

Australian inspirations.

Photo composition significantly impacts how viewers experience an image. Australian photographers like Peter Lik have mastered this art, using composition to guide the viewer's eye through the scene. Lik’s work is a testament to how thoughtful composition can transform ordinary scenes into extraordinary ones. His landscapes, often showcasing Australia’s natural beauty, employ composition techniques to highlight the vastness and diversity of the environment, turning everyday moments into visual masterpieces.

Use the rule of thirds.

The rule of thirds is a classic photography technique for achieving optimal composition. This method involves dividing your frame into a three-by-three grid with two equally spaced horizontal and vertical lines. By placing key elements along these lines or at their intersections, you can create balance and flow within your image. This approach often results in more engaging photos than simply centering the subject. “You want to move your eye around that image and find things with that trio,” says Long. A photo with intriguing elements distributed across the grid is usually more dynamic than one with all the interest in a single section.

In Australia's diverse landscapes, like the rugged outback or bustling streets of Melbourne, using the rule of thirds can help balance exposure and composition. For instance, placing a striking subject like Uluru off-center in the frame can create a more dynamic and interesting photo than centering it. This photography technique encourages viewers to explore the entire image, making your photos more captivating and balanced.

Balance your images.

Creating visual harmony in your photos is key, and balance plays a huge role in that. Unlike symmetry, balance doesn't mean making everything look the same on both sides. Instead, it’s about ensuring that the different parts of your image complement each other. A viewer’s eye will naturally explore the picture, looking for points of interest and elements that interact with each other. “If you have a really complicated photo with a lot of stuff going on, it can cause us to respond by drawing parallels,” says Long, “which can be kind of invigorating, confusing, and aggravating in a good way.”

Using bold colours can really grab attention. “The saturation of certain hues is really going to pull your eye,” explains Long. “If I want something to pull more visual weight, increasing its saturation or its luminance can be useful.” This photography technique can help balance your image by directing the viewer's focus.

When a photo is unbalanced, it can feel off or even unsettling. “When a photograph is out of balance it provides uneasiness,” says Long. "The majority of the time we like a sense of fluidity with the image.” Achieving balance often means placing elements so they harmonize with one another. For instance, something striking on the left might be balanced by empty space on the right, creating a pleasing dynamic. “Balance isn’t something you can teach people,” Long notes. “You really get a sense of it as you look at things.” The more you practice, the better you’ll understand how to make the elements in your photos work together.

Work with leading lines, focus, and depth of field.

Photography transforms our three-dimensional world into a two-dimensional image, but you can still convey a sense of space and depth. This requires awareness of what's in your shot and how you focus on it.

Leading lines are powerful compositional tools that draw the viewer's eye toward the subject or focal point. These lines can be anything—a winding road, an outstretched arm, or tree branches reaching toward the sky. Leading lines guide the viewer through the image, creating an illusion of depth and dimension on a flat surface.

Focus and depth of field further enhance this illusion. A shallow depth of field can make the viewer feel like they're focusing on something right in front of them, adding a sense of depth and scale to the photo.

Find the right point of view.

Experimenting with different perspectives can dramatically change your composition. Moving around can turn an ordinary photo into an extraordinary one. “All we’re doing is choosing to exclude things or include things,” says Long.

Play with your spacing and distance from your subject. “I move around a lot,” says Rivera. “I get really low or really high. I see what it’s like if I get under my subject or see what it’s like if they move side-to-side.” Changing your vantage point can reveal new ways to frame your subject and add interest to your shots.

When composing a shot, consider how the image will be used. “There might be text that goes over an image or it might be a magazine cover,” says Rivera. Think about these elements as you look through your viewfinder to ensure your composition accommodates any additional features.

Improve composition with post-production cropping.

If your photo's composition isn't perfect, you can often improve it with a quick crop in post-production. Cropping can help you reframe the subject more effectively, turning a mediocre shot into a great one.

Revisit old images and view them from different angles or perspectives. “Play with the rotation of the image,” suggests Rivera. “When you do a crop you can rotate it, flip the image, or put it upside down and maybe see something else.” This process can uncover new compositional possibilities and improve your overall image.