Good composition is relatively easy to achieve, when you know and apply the fundamentals.
It still takes quite a bit of practice for them to become second nature.
You know that you're getting there when you actually don't want to take a photo because you can't get it just the way you want it! Here is a little more detail on each element of composition: 1.
Rule of Thirds - this is a fundamental composition concept is.
Imagine a 4" x 6" photograph, held in landscape (rather than portrait).
The photo is of a lovely mountainous landscape and a person in the foreground of the view.
If you place the person in the middle of the frame, the view is cut in half and the image looks a bit flat.
Now place the person off centre - in either the left 1/3, or right 1/3 of the frame.
There is more view to be seen, and the photo looks more "alive".
This is a very simplistic explanation of the Rule of Thirds.
Even when just photographing a landscape, make the sky either 1/3 of the frame, or 2/3.
Don't split the sky and view half-half - it makes the image look stilted.
2.
Frame the photo - with a tree off in the 1/3 section, or maybe some mountains, or buildings.
Work with your surroundings - they are your biggest (and often only) asset.
3.
Horizon Line - keep your horizon straight - as much as possible.
4.
Cropping - use your zoom (or your feet) to move in on a subject and cut out unnecessary surrounding "noise", or clutter.
5.
Leading Lines - rather than having a road, or path go straight through your image, position it off to the side, as though it were coming from the left (or right) of the frame and leading the eye off into the distance, towards the photo's subject.
6.
Perspective - when photographing something large, it's a good idea to place something next to it to gain a little perspective - such as standing a person next to a monument, to see how tall it actually is.
7.
Positioning - watch where objects in the background are placed.
Make sure the friend whose photo you're taking doesn't have a traffic light appearing out of the top of her head! Be aware of all that's in your frame - if may not be that obvious at the time, but trust me you'll see it later when you look back at the photos! Everyone has their own view of the world.
They place their own experiences and perspectives on the things that they see.
That's what makes the world a fascinating place and photography even more exciting.
Ten different people can see the same scene, yet capture it differently.
The people who see those ten different images will also have varying preferences as to which they like better, and why.
Always test the boundaries and don't let someone else's opinion prevent you from trying something - especially if you're shooting in digital.
Experiment, and enjoy yourself!