Lens-Artists Challenge #359 – Tools of Photo Composition

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This week John invites us to explore some of photography’s compositional elements – such as colour, lines and patterns. Here’s a link to John’s original post.

A leading lines image where I’ve used the fisherman’s net, he’s repairing, to lead the viewers eyes, from left hand side in to the subject.

I had a slight problem with finding images of the obvious compositional elements because I’ve used a lot of my best examples in previous Lens-Artists Challenge posts. So, I decided I would choose a few less obvious elements that I consider as extra rules for my images. Some of these might be because I’m always on the look out for stock images and I’d have to admit, I can be a bit obsessive over some of them, lol. They might not even be rules at all, just good tips and like all rules, they can be broken.

So my first minor element would be straight horizons. This is one I really do obsess over. I’m pretty good at getting this right in camera these days unless its a snatched shot. It then gets corrected in PS. I wouldn’t knowingly ever post an image with a wonky horizon, to my own detriment sometimes. Mad I know, but I just can’t do it.

There’s a few compositional elements going on here. Straight horizon, yes, but sometimes you just can’t have it all composition rules wise. The subject is just off of a vertical third and in the middle of the horizontal but to have sorted that would have meant losing some of the road and a chunk of the natural border created by the trees. It still works ok for me though.

Next up, something that might seem a bit odd but people walking through an image making an A Shape with their legs. So, a full walk stride if possible. Again it’s something I’ve taught myself to try and capture and I’m pretty good at clicking at the right moment these days. Here’s a couple of examples..

I’d seen these torso mannequins, being used as parking cones, and had taken an image as I thought they were quite funny. I then thought someone walking through the image would be good as well. Shortly after, this person walked through and I managed to get the A shaped legs just as they passed the white background. A minute later a taxi pulled in and parked over the entire scene.
Another street shot with my pedestrian full stride. It’s pretty good for thirds as well.

Next up for me is do I include people in my image or not. Sometimes you have no choice but sometimes you do. The people improve both of the walking example images above. The two shots below were taken in a former theological college in Marrakech, Morocco. I’d seen a similar image to the first shot below and wanted to capture the same, showing off the mosaic tile work and architecture.

The college was busy with other tourists so I had to wait to get my shot, which eventually I did. However whist waiting, sat on the floor with my back against a wall, I shot some images of the other visitors. It wasn’t intentional but my low viewpoint really worked for me and I like the people image as much as the image I was really after.

The uncluttered image taken in Ali ben Youssef Medersa, Marrakech, Morocco
Despite going to the college in the afternoon, when I hoped in would be quieter, there were still lots of other visitors.

Finally balancing objects within an image. I’ve picked this up from reading too many food photography books. It’s all about leading people through an image, normally in a triangle. I try to follow this when I’m shooting food images, and some other objects. Here’s a couple of examples..

I’ll finish with a few of my examples of classic compositional rules and thanking John for setting and hosting this weeks challenge.

Colour
Leading Lines
Rule of Thirds

All images: ©Stephen Hyde 2007-2025 – All rights reserved.

23 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Challenge #359 – Tools of Photo Composition”

  1. LOL for your final Example Stephen. All or your examples are terrific and good illustrations of the “rules”/guidelines for good images. As always yours are wonderful!

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  3. I enjoyed this post Steve. Excellent photographs as examples of various rules. I liked your use of people, your example with and without people, and your color image which I thought was a great example of symmetry. You set a great example for us.

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  4. Wow, Steve! Where can I begin?? The post and photos are amazing. Like you, a straight horizon line is a must. Those photos in Morocco are a dream with colors, pattern, and lines. Excellent!

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  10. The gallery is a masterpiece of photographic composition, Steve. I love the Marrakech image for the people who help define the scale of the architecture. Though the doorway in the version without people helps, having people in the photo gives the image much more, a living place.

    My favorite, though, is the colorful pattern in the arch above the doorway. It’s also a study in dynamic range where the exterior isn’t “blown out” with overexposed highlights.

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    • Thank you for the kind comments John. If you get to the colourful archway at the right time of day the sun shines through the glass and casts colourful patterns on the walls. We wanted to get there for that but the timings didn’t work for us. Thank you for choosing such an interesting challenge 🙂

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