Nikon D5200: From Snapshots to Great Shots

12. Creative Compositions

Improve Your Pictures with Sound Compositional Elements

Creating a great photograph takes more than just the right settings on your camera. To take your photography to the next level, you need to gain an understanding of how the elements within the frame come together to create a compositionally pleasing image. Composition is the culmination of light, shape, and, to borrow a word from the iconic photographer Jay Maisel, gesture. Composition is a way for you to pull your viewers into your image and guide them through the scene. Let’s examine a few methods you can use to add interest to your photos by utilizing some common compositional elements.

Poring Over the Picture

I love a good cup of coffee, and one of my favorite ...