There is only one rule to photography, the Rule of Thirds
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds
Basically, the better that your photo conforms to the RoT, the more interesting any photo can become. There are a few exceptions, but by and large the rule of thirds holds true.
The remainder of these are suggestions that I have learned or been told that will help you compose and frame your shots better:
1 - try to find a diagonal line to run through your photo
http://fourpointedstar.com/expressions/2008/06/peaceful-day.html
The leading line (from dock to tree's shadow to trees - the natural curve) is what gives it the majority of its appeal.
2 - odd numbers are better
Odd numbers lead to a better center of focus.
3 - fill the frame of the photo.
Make sure that the subject of your photo fills the frame as much as is possible.
4 - never center your horizon or the sun/moon
Never make the sky and ground/water into a 50/50 equation, in fact try not to split any photo in half with a line.
5 - just cause it's cool looking doesn't mean that it will be a good photo
Visually interesting doesn't mean that it will make a good photo. Think about and plan your photos. Think about how it should fit in the frame. Don't be upset if you can't get a concept to turn out.
6 - include or don't include the horizon
The trees on the horizon shouldn't interrupt the bottom of the photo. the horizon should either be present, or you shouldn't be able to see the trees at all. In fact anything that is partially in a photo is only a distraction.
7 - always give people and animals room to move in the frame
Facing an animal in a photo toward the emptier section of the photo gives the appearance of movement.
8 - buy a cheap tripod ($30 or so at Walmart)
This will help your night-time photos not be shaky.
9 - the devil invented power lines
10 - shoot tons of photos and look at tons of photos. I have probably 50 photos that I'm really proud of, but I've shot over 60,000 in the three years since I started shooting. If you can't be proficient, be prolific. :) You also learn by practice and reviewing other's work. (http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/ )
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Basically, the better that your photo conforms to the RoT, the more interesting any photo can become. There are a few exceptions, but by and large the rule of thirds holds true.
The remainder of these are suggestions that I have learned or been told that will help you compose and frame your shots better:
1 - try to find a diagonal line to run through your photo
http://fourpointedstar.com/
The leading line (from dock to tree's shadow to trees - the natural curve) is what gives it the majority of its appeal.
2 - odd numbers are better
Odd numbers lead to a better center of focus.
3 - fill the frame of the photo.
Make sure that the subject of your photo fills the frame as much as is possible.
4 - never center your horizon or the sun/moon
Never make the sky and ground/water into a 50/50 equation, in fact try not to split any photo in half with a line.
5 - just cause it's cool looking doesn't mean that it will be a good photo
Visually interesting doesn't mean that it will make a good photo. Think about and plan your photos. Think about how it should fit in the frame. Don't be upset if you can't get a concept to turn out.
6 - include or don't include the horizon
The trees on the horizon shouldn't interrupt the bottom of the photo. the horizon should either be present, or you shouldn't be able to see the trees at all. In fact anything that is partially in a photo is only a distraction.
7 - always give people and animals room to move in the frame
Facing an animal in a photo toward the emptier section of the photo gives the appearance of movement.
8 - buy a cheap tripod ($30 or so at Walmart)
This will help your night-time photos not be shaky.
9 - the devil invented power lines
10 - shoot tons of photos and look at tons of photos. I have probably 50 photos that I'm really proud of, but I've shot over 60,000 in the three years since I started shooting. If you can't be proficient, be prolific. :) You also learn by practice and reviewing other's work. (http://www.boston.com/
