Simplify, simplify

Composition is the mental editing process a photogrpher applies as they work on an image to make its message easier for the viewer to read. A common mistake is to think about what to 'put into' a picture. For the beginner to photography it is tempting to lend an image import by filling it with as much detail as possible. Instead, thinking about 'what can be left out' of a picture will strengthen it. Look for the simplest theme. Simplification is an essential part of composition; getting rid of unwanted visual clutter will leave only the important elements that can be arranged to create a well-composed image.

Photographers often pay too much attention to the subject and neglect to check for potential clutter in the background. The result is a badly organised image. A quick visual check around the edges of the subject will make certain that nothing distracting or unwanted interferes.

In-camera cropping is an often overlooked solution to the problem of simplifying an image. A zoom lens can crop the image without changing perspective as long as the photographer and subject stay put. Moving closer fills the frame, emphasises the subject and cuts out the background. This simple technique seems surprisingly difficult for beginners to adopt.

Extract from Composition by David Präkel