Here are 9 rules about basic photography composition from famed photographer Steve McCurry that will instantly make your pictures look better. You know some of them already—rule of thirds, etc.—but it’s nice to see them illustrated with great pictures and be reminded of the most important rule of all: that you can—and should—break them.
Here they are, courtesy of McCurry from COOPH:
Rule of Thirds: place points of interest on intersections
Leading Lines: use natural lines to lead the eye into the picture
Diagonals: diagonal lines create movement
Framing: use natural frames like windows
Figure to Ground: contrast between subject and background
Fill the Frame: get close to subjects
Center Dominant Eye: put dominant eye in center of picture
Patterns & Repetitions: patterns are pleasing
Symmetry: symmetry is pleasing
