Our goal isn’t to make the “best” or the most complex photo. I say it seems more interesting to contemplate what are the most basic and simplest elements of a photograph; to take it back to “first principles” (Aristotle, Physics).

Color

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Color affects our psychology. For example the color yellow; brightness, the same color of the sun. Yellow energizes us!

Subject-matter

Who or what are you photographing?

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Light

Photographs cannot exist without light.

Angle and perspective

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Considering the position in which you photograph, your camera lens focal length, and how low you photograph (or high you photograph something) from.

Position of the subject

Where do you place your subject? Which part of the frame?

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Timing

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*WHEN* to photograph– another key element of a photograph.

For example, preferably *NOT* shooting when someone is blinking or in an ‘in-between’ moment.

How to frame and position your image

When you witness something unfolding right before you, the question is:

What composition and framing is best?

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It seems the most practical suggestion is when you see something interesting, just shoot a lot of photos of the scene and figure out later which photograph you prefer the best.

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How much to fill the frame / how much negative space to include around your subject-matter?

This is subjective. Having *some* breathing room around your central subject matter seems wise.