Simple tips to get you going!
1. Divide the frame
Bruce Gilden Haiti— note how it looks like a Piet Mondrian painting, divided into different quadrants, and the interesting shadow over the man’s eye, with the other eye in the light.
2. Subject looking up
To make your subject look more hopeful and optimistic, have them look up.
3. Arabesque composition
Compose a scene with multiple subjects, and have them create a “squiggly line” composition (arabesque). Masterful composition by Henri Cartier-Bresson below:
4. About to collide
Shoot photos at corners and intersections. Make a photograph that is dynamic — looks like the subjects are about to collide (Haiti by Bruce Gilden):
5. Simple hand gesture
Simple Sergio Larrain composition – just show a hand, simple shadow, and depth:
6. Horizontal composition, one eye, up close
Lovely composition by Cornell Capa–flowing hair, hand gesture, curved arm, and one eye peeking through.
7. Three subjects in a triangle
Three subjects as an ideal balance of multiple subjects. Arrange them in a triangle.
