The Digital Photography Book

Avoid Signs Because They Draw Your Eye

If you’re like me, and you’re worried about things distracting your viewer from the story or subject you want them to see in your photo, keep a sharp eye out for any printed signs or text that might appear in your photos. We’re all mentally programmed to read signs, and unless the sign is the subject of your image, your viewers will automatically start reading the sign, instead of looking at your subject. I learned this tip years ago from Jay Maisel, and I’ve seen it play out time and time again whenever I showed an image with a sign somewhere in it. So, in short, try to compose your shots so signs or text ...