A Compositional Checklist
Not a new set of rules, but my own thought process

• My first impulse on pulling the camera to eye is to figure out if what made me pick up the camera is being seen.
• I am then looking to see what kind of design and movement of line is possible within the scene that grabbed my attention.
• I try to always be asking myself if the subject is about light, or does it depend on some narrative of words. Unless the subject is light, I know it will likely be a weak photograph.
• Is the image simple? Can it be distilled down further? Is there anything within the frame that doesn't belong?
• I try to ask myself if my position or perspective could alter or strengthen the view

Additional Tutorials

More Tutorials, Technical discussions and Essays are linked from the Techniques Button on our Home page.

Techniques Page

Photography Workshops

Interested in learning more? Perhaps one of our digital photography classes would be of help? We take the imparting of information and the empowerment of our students quite seriously. The digital age has considerably enhanced our ability to teach, and we believe your ability to capture what you see. This program is designed to help you benefit from both of these advances. We hope you can join us on a workshop.

Next Workshops:

Mono Lake and the Eastern Sierra
October 14-17, 2010

Fine Art Digital Printing Hands on
November 6-9, 2010

Pt. Lobos and Carmel
November 13-15, 2010

Black and White Digital Printing Hands-on
December 4-5, 2010

Death Valley in Winter
January 15-18, 2011

Tanzania
January 26 to February 6, 2011

For a full list of workshops, click here.

Workshop Testimonials