favorite photography composition techniques
7 approaches using light, depth, and perspective when I'm shooting film.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about what actually makes a photo worth taking. Usually it’s some combo of light, framing, depth, color, or subject matter that pulls you in. The nice thing is these ideas translate across pretty much any genre. Here are a few of my go-to approaches you can try next time you’re out shooting.
Rule of Thirds
I’m putting this one first because I do believe in it. Picture a 3×3 grid over your frame and place your subject or focus point near the intersections (basically anywhere but dead center). I’ll also exaggerate this rule when shooting landscapes by dropping or raising the horizon line. As David Lynch says, “don’t put the horizon in the center”.
That said, I’m not anti-center by any means. Center framing a portrait or fashion shot can look great. They’re rules are guides, not handcuffs.
Reflections
A simple trick that rarely fails. Keep an eye out for car mirrors, storefront windows, polished buildings, or even puddles after a rain. Reflections instantly add dimension and mood with almost zero effort.
Movement
Slowing your shutter introduces motion and life into a frame. Cars, people walking, sports—anything with movement becomes more expressive.
I usually hover around 1/30th shutter, and if I want more drama I’ll dip to 1/15th.
This works especially well in low light depending on your film stock, unless you’ve got an ND handy to play with motion in bright conditions.
Depth (proximity)
This is about what’s physically in the frame. Try placing something in your foreground (arm, a wall edge, a coffee mug ect.) out of focus, while your subject sits sharp in the mid- or background.
Wider apertures (f/4 or lower) make this easy, but even narrow apertures can work if you’re intentional. I just ask myself: How do I make this feel less flat?
Shooting through frames
Related to depth, but worth calling out separately. Look for windows, doorways, geometric shape..basically anything you can shoot through. It’s an easy way to create context and visual interest.
Shoot into shadows
Lighting is everything. When I say “shoot into shadows,” I mean position your key light source in front of you..roughly between 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock. Try to avoid having the light directly behind you at 6 o’clock. Cross-light or backlight usually gives you that cinematic depth, while lighting from behind the photographer tends to flatten everything out.
Next time you’re shooting sunrise or sunset, just walk toward the sun. You’ll immediately notice more interesting, dynamic light. And if you can, shoot at golden hour. It’s common advice but true.
Use flash
I’m especially thinking about point-and-shoots with built-in flash, but external flashes work great too.
Flash helps when the subject is underlit or when the background is brighter than your subject and you want to add a little fill. It’s also just fun and adds a punchy look to film.
Bonus: Dutch Angle and breaking rules
If you want something dramatic or unsettling, try tilting your frame. In film, Dutch angles are used for tension, but in photography they can also help fill a frame or introduce diagonal lines that feel refreshing.
At the end of the day, photography is subjective. Learn the rules, try them out, then break them whenever it feels right.
It’s the little things
Most of the time, the best photos come from a chain of small decisions (i.e. stepping two feet to the left, lowering your angle, waiting five extra seconds for a car to pass). The more intentional those micro-moves feel, the more your images start to look like you.
One thing I try to do when going about daily life is practice noticing things. Almost like your vision is the viewfinder. Make mental notes of what grabs your attention and then go implement it.
Hope this was helpful. If you have any ideas of your own, feel free to drop a comment.
See you next week.
-Kendall