I have already written about my three favorite rules of composition, but I want to create a new list of composition rules so that my photography students can choose their own favorites. In no particular order, here are some photo composition guidelines.
1. Rule of Odds
For some reason, when there are an odd number of objects in a picture, the picture looks better. I learned this concept from landscaping. When planting, use 1, 3, or 5 of the same plant, color or shape. Above, I am illustrating the rule of odds with this picture of three yellow posts in front of the orchard from Fresno County's Blossom Trail.
2. Repetition and Pattern.
In early February of 2020, I was walking through Manhattan with my 16 year old daughter. We saw this scene outside Nello on Madison Avenue. There is a repetition of color and shape. If you look closely, you can see red throughout this picture. In the foreground, you can see the red clearly. If you look to the far right upper corner, you can also see the red in the street parking sign.
There is also a repetition of shapes with the bears and hearts and rectangles.
Isolating the Subject
Simplicity and Minimalism
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