Composition
Composition guide: how to arrange the scene
Composition decides what the viewer sees first and where their eye goes next. Without guidance, tools tend to centre the subject at medium distance: correct, but flat.
Four decisions change an image: how close the subject is, the viewing angle, how elements are distributed and where the scene takes place.
Shot size and angle
A wide shot sets and tells a place; a close-up tells an emotion or a detail. The angle adds intent: from below the subject gains power, from above it becomes small, top-down organises and explains.
/••••••••Wide shot composition
Shows the full subject and surrounding environment in a balanced general framing.
/••••••••Medium shot framing
Frames the subject from a comfortable mid-distance…
/••••••••Extreme close-up framing
Frames a tiny area of the subject at very close range to emphasise texture…
/••••••••Low angle viewpoint
Places the camera below the subject…
/••••••••High angle viewpoint
Places the camera above the subject…
/••••••••Top-down flat lay
Frames the scene straight from above…
Image structure
The rule of thirds and leading lines add dynamism; symmetry conveys order and calm; negative space lets the subject breathe and makes room for text. If the image carries a headline, decide here where it goes.
/••••••••Rule of thirds composition
Places the main subject on one of the intersection points of the rule-of-thirds…
/••••••••Strong leading lines
Uses lines already present in the scene to lead the eye toward the main subject.
/••••••••Symmetrical composition
Distributes elements in perfect symmetry on both sides of the frame.
/••••••••Generous negative space
Leaves a large empty area around the subject to give the composition room to…
/••••••••Frame within a frame
Uses an element within the scene…
/••••••••Subject left with space on right
Places the subject on the left of the frame…
Scene location
The setting says as much as the subject: a street, a library or a desert change the meaning of the same person or product. Choose a specific place rather than “a nice background”.
/CityStreetCity street setting
Places the scene in an active urban street with buildings, pavement, traffic cues and city atmosphere.
/••••••••Library setting
Places the scene in a library or book-lined interior…
/••••••••Industrial environment
Places the scene in an industrial environment with machinery…
/••••••••Forest setting
Places the scene in a forest environment with trees…
/••••••••Coastline setting
Places the scene on a coastline with sea…
/••••••••Lived-in room setting
Creates a realistic room with everyday objects…
Common mistakes
- Asking for several angles at once (top-down and low angle): they cancel each other out.
- Forgetting where the text goes and having to cover part of the subject later.
- Describing the background vaguely: “nice” or “professional” tells the tool nothing.
Example combination
Subject on a third with the harbour as context.
Composition (Pro code: with Pro you see which one it is and can copy the combination)"Fisherman mending nets at the harbour" Composition (Pro code: with Pro you see which one it is and can copy the combination) Lighting (Pro code: with Pro you see which one it is and can copy the combination)-3:2