7 SIMPLE photo COMPOSITION TIPS to IMPROVE your photography
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- Composition is often the area of photography that people struggle with. So I have broken down how I go about composing an image into 7 simple areas. These simple tips and tricks will help you take better landscape photos and aim to dymistify the art of composition. Lets get started!
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Apologies for the sound at the start of the video. I uploaded a version that hadn’t been sorted. When I discovered this I didn’t then wanted to reupload as had many great comments. Won’t make the same mistake again! Thanks for watching
Thank you Nigel , learned a lot.
Thanks for the great tutorial, will definitely try these tips. By the way I loved the music in your intro. Whats the track name ?
You’re a SF Giants fan as well? Ayee 💪🏻
BTW, Nigel, what is that song close to the beginning of the video? Beautiful!
As a new photographer I struggle with composition. It seems so subjective -unlike the technical aspects of the field. My question. Is composition found, created or both?
I make notes on Nigel's videos to refer to later and figured I'd share my notes on this video in case others find it helpful (definitely not a substitute for watching, but for review or future reference!)
1. *How do I look for a composition?* (2:48)
- Acronym: FLICS (focus, light, interest, corners, simplicity)
- Start experimenting with iPhone before pulling out DSLR
- Find a point of interest (may not be a person/object, can be an area of the image that draws your eye)
- Simplicity is key: try to eliminate distracting elements at the corners
2. *Look for patterns* (6:30)
- Patterns are visually pleasing and can help direct your eye to a point of interest
3. *Use lines and shapes* (7:40)
- Use lines and shapes to direct the eye to the point of interest
4. *Move from 3D to 2D* (9:39)
- Remember that depth & layers are often lost when going from a 3D landscape to a 2D image - help the brain build a dynamic 3D image by conveying layers (eg. using the texture of snow on trees, fog)
5. *Tell a story* (13:24)
- The picture should convey the mood, the feeling and the story of when you were there
6. *Use negative space* (15:26)
- Have the subject a long way off centre or right in the middle of the image
7. *Remove distractions* (17:10)
Thank you so much! this helps me save so much time on a class.
I find composition vlogs so interesting. They always make me 'think' more when I next go out. I think making sure there is always a focus/point of interest is the best advice
Thanks Tim
Thanks!
Your enthusiasm explodes from the screen with this Wonderful presentation. Thank you.
Thanks
To have the Basic Principles of Image Composition so clearly explained and demonstrated by your stunning images is so refreshing. Thank you Mr Danson. I will come back to this excellent tutorial over and over again.
Nigel- there's a lot I don't understand in your videos because I'm not a photographer, but as a landscape artist I really appreciate the unique material you present on universal artistic principles like composition. Thank you so much!
Thanks for the kind words Deb. Photography doesn’t need to be technical - gear doesn’t matter - all about the art 👍
When you talked about taking your time finding a great composition at a scene, one thing crossed my mind and that was the idea of looking for compositions out there even when you're not out shooting (except when you're driving or something, of course).
I call Nigel "The Poet of Light"! Cannot get enough of his Videos. God bless you my brother!
THANK YOU for joining me for tea!... Oh, and for the EXCEPTIONAL explanation 🙏👏👏👏👏👏
The best I've seen so far - and also for drawing from your own catalog of wonderful photos.
I just came back from my trip to Iceland and hadn't really taken the time for all the images I shot. So after a slight disappointment I am glad that I have now learned all these things to create better images for the next times I am out shooting. Thank you!
Thank you, Nigel, for your easy-to-follow commentary. Your delivery and logic are superb. Photography is about passion, which is an attribute you demonstrate very clearly here.
Those music and scenery are blessing to eye and ears. Thanks.
Thank you for explaining what composition is. You are the first one I have found that has explained it.
gosh, i went to binge watch composition vids, yours was the first one and now it's a lot harder to get myself to click away to the others because this whole video of art and wisdom blew my socks (and expectations) off. I see you, I see your work/effort man. grateful. 🙏✨✨✨
It is always insightful to hear the thoughts of others and one of the aspects Im trying to work harder at in conjunction with taking time and not just be shutter happy. Thanks Nigel it is always appreciated that you share your knowledge and experience
Thanks again for the really kind words. Makes it all worthwhile
surfing around there are thousand of tutorials about editing and lightroom "magic". Thank you for sharing a very interesting video about composition. I'm partially colorblind, picture with great framing and composition are my favourites.
Appreciate the kind words 👍
I really enjoy photos where I can look at them and imagine myself exploring the area. Most of the landscape photos you take really do that for me. Thank you for the tips, great video as always.
Beautiful dog I love how in the beginning they are looking to see who you are talking to
I have to say the quality of your videos (content and production) is just extraordinary!
Thanks Martin
Experiencing a 'feeling' when viewing an image...it's like sharing a moment with the photographer
Nigel, thank you for taking the time to explain Lightroom and then to give a composition class, it was awesome. I have been taking photos for years, and just love it. Now, I really have some work ahead of me to organize and choose the photos that I can edit and enhance. I live on a farm in California and love to travel to the mountains, most of my photos are Landscape photography. I love the thought of telling a story with passion and being able to communicate it through photography.
Thanks for the kind words. A farm in California sounds great
Thank you for so generously share your years of learnings with us, being a beginner photographer I cannot appreciate this enough!!
I really love how you are really enjoy g taking pictures and amazed by the view, the way you explain/teach is easy to understand and very thoughtful. Thank you so much Nigel!
Thank you Nigel .. sometimes when I arrive at a location I easily get desracted by certain aspects of the scene and the technical stuff .. and forget about composition. great tips !
Very informative and great advise - having just got back from Iceland a couple of days ago I was disappointed with my shots and the single most thing I blame is "rushing". When you are on holiday you have a limited time to compose and just have to work with the restrictions, people in the shot (not always required) and not their when light is at its best. My wife was with me and although very supportive she got a little agitated. When on holiday I need to limit my expectations, trying to create art rather than a snap shot is not easy when limited for time. I think the single most important thing I learn't was when not to take a shot! Thanks for another great vlog
Thanks Ian - too true! I think being alone in photography can often help a lot as time yields great photos.
I feel your pain, Iceland is wonderful, the tours are so rushed tho
i love that this wasn't just another video talking about rules of thirds
This is what I needed to hear! I'm very right brained, so looking for patterns comes naturally, but I was struggling with making my photos look more 3D. Thanks so much for this video
This has got to be one of the most helpful explanations of how to achieve good landscape composition. Gonna save this one for later when I can actually go out in the world.
Thanks Nigel! We used this in our photograph unit at my school. Great work!
I found your UA-cam channel today after searching for composition tips. I must have watched about 20 of your videos already! I find them all really useful, especially when you explain why a photo looks good and include lines on top of your images. I look forward to getting my first ever dslr camera tomorrow so I can put what I have learned from your channel so far into practice.
Excellent presentation! and No distracting background music! Thank you! Learnt a lot.
I can’t thank you enough for these super helpful tips.
This is the best video about composition that I have seen.
14:00 What a sublime image! Hope to shoot something this beautiful some day. Fog indeed is a photographers best friend.
Hi, Photo's within the photo... Brilliant tip! Thanks 💚👍
Thank you, Nigel, for the straight-forward tutorial. Good stuff. Much appreciated, Mate.
The presentation style of this video is great. Many people seem to rush as much bits of info into single videos when creating these "lists". You take your time to explain the ideas slowly and thoroughly. You earned a new subscriber sir
Many thanks - appreciate that so much!!!
I’m always struck by the amount of luck that, many times, goes into a great photo. Fog, sunlight and associated rays, animals showing up (love those sheep!), etc. etc. Surely, preplanning to get to a location at a certain time can help with getting better odds for it all to come together, but so much luck is involved as well. Flexibility may be an 8th element to composition! None of this is meant take away from your photos, as they are incredible, Nigel! But I think you have to give every great photographer, like you, credit for their ability to be flexible in what they’re trying to create and their ability to adapt to their ever changing surroundings, and to “think on the fly”, as it were, to create something special. Love your videos!
Thanks Dave - appreciate that comment. Very thoughtful and true! To paraphrase Arnold Palmer - the more I practice the luckier I get! 👊👍
OMG !!!! That intro was breathtaking.
Your compositions are spot on!!
These photos are absolutely beautiful
Hey Nigel, thank you for sharing your experience and insights on compositions, helpful and useful.
Love that foggy tree photo! Great video, thanks for sharing.
Composition is one of the things I struggle with, this video gives me plenty to think about and try to replicate. The practical real life examples help loads especially the forest shot with and without the fog, really shows the depth to the picture. Looking forward to learning so much more from you in April on my 121. Great work Nigel.
Thanks! Can’t wait!
This is a great video for those of us who rush the scene. I am guilty of rushing which I have to overcome fast. I have been also focusing mostly on technical stuff and now I feel like my photos have become too generic. I am going to make a list of creative projects based on the tips you shared and try to slow down while shooting. Thank you for this clearly articulated video.
Everything you do is so beautiful and insightful. Thanks, for teaching us...
Your content is amazing! I've been interested in composition theory since I started making photos (roughly 20 years ago... Don't tell anyone), you manage to concentrate the information and keep it interesting. Thanks
Another great Sunday morning with Nigel :)
After watching I have now been inspired to relook at some landscape photos I took in the Isle of Man last year.
I was happy at the time with them, but in Lightroom I was fed up at how flat some had become, exactly what you mention. There are quite a few with heavy mist behind trees, so my Sunday evening will be now interesting now I've found them on my hd.
Thanks Nigel. I hope to see you at the TPS.
Great to hear! You never know what you may uncover
Digging closer into the minutiae of composition and visual environment. Bringing us in the moment... You’ve put a lot of energy into this! Thank you
Thanks a lot!
Excellent video again, Nigel. Always such a pleasure to watch your channel. It was very easy to follow your analysis. While watching the first presentations of image 1, 2 and 3 I liked the second one over the first for highlighting the heather and seeing the trail much clearer. And my favourite was the third for the zigzagging of the trails and the depth created by the mist. I feel that the workshop in the spring gave me a better understanding of composition. Hopefully, after a very busy work summer I will be able to apply some of it this autumn. While being more of a late riser, my intention really is to get out early for some coastal sunrises this autumn....
Thank you my friend. I remember all you told us/me. Glad to have known you.
Wow! Excellent composition advice! Your examples are very helpful too!
That was so fantastically thorough. Super excited to get out and shoot!
Excellent composition ideas. I'll be applying these when i shoot the aspens in Colorado in the next couple of weeks.
Having been to Zion National Park many times (but not bold enough to make the Angel's Landing climb) I have struggled with showing how scary those cliffs can be. Your image did the trick. Thanks for all the reminders.
It is an impressive place isn’t it!
Great video Nigel! Lots of informative info on photo composition!
Very helpful and intereesting. Thank you Nigel
Using a phone to look for a composition, brilliant idea!!! Very good idea.
I absolutely love this channel. Thank you for providing examples for all of your different key points. I took notes the whole time.😊
Thank you for the great tips, Nigel!
Enjoyed really this video, thanks, there are so many considerations with composition. These are my thoughts, not advising, I'm no master I assure you, my technique is ever evolving. However, for me, the most important point you raise is to slow down, I am always in a rush in my day job and slowing down is a real challenge for me, taking my time (within reason of course!), thinking it through and living the scene is beginning to pay. Like you, moving around and composing with the phone camera really helps me, leave the kit in the bag until your decided too. If your pre-planning pans out, or near as dam it anyway, and you allow time the better chance you have of the bulk of the ingredients you mention in the video falling into place and the image unveiling before you, just make sure you grab the unveiling before it goes (the light ...!), so be ready or you get second best or worst, happens to me all of there time!!! Love your channel Nigel
These shots are just breathtaking! Awesome tips, and I love the video.
This video is very informative. Thank you for the explanation as to why I can’t see the same image in Lightroom that I saw when I was there. It now makes sense, I see in 3D but the image is 2D. I know those things but never thought about it in those ways. I will be watching your videos and taking notes because in June we are going to Big Bend National Park in Texas and I plan to use your tips.
Very informative video. The only thing missing now is to go and shoot, shoot and shoot. Many thanks Nigel.
Angels landing has been my scariest hike to date!! lol so pretty though!
Stephanie Stoven where is Angels Landing?
Paul Bartolini It’s in Zion National Park in Utah, USA
It is so scary!!!
This is very informative tips! When I started learning photography, the very first thing I learned was how to see light. Understanding quality and mood of light greatly improved my photography in general.
I have a hard time with compositions frequently because I have significant mobility issues and most of my shots are taken from the car. Believe it or not, it works a lot of the time but there is a lot of frustration also. I photograph a lot in a local forest and have fallen in love with the trees and all but it's also a campground that will open to campers soon and I don't want to go there then. In the off season...fall, winter and some spring I have it pretty much to myself. I can drive the roads through there and stop where I want...if only I could get out and walk around ....it is what it is. Can you imagine what it would be like to be in my position? Maybe you could address this situation in one of your videos. I'm sure I'm not the only handicapped photographer. Maybe you could offer some suggestions. Love your videos and your ideas. Thank you so much.
Good to hear it put into words. I've always been able to look at scenes and know immediately that it does/doesn't work, but to explain why is something I can never do. Good video again Nigel!
Thanks Andy - appreciate that. Actually help me to do this video and got me thinking about a few things.
As photographgers we are always learning. Thank you for the tips.
What a great video! Very well done. So many people have such a hard time articulating what composition is especially in photography, but you gave much more depth and explained beyond 4 or 5 rules. Very impressive
Just when you thought you had a good understanding of composition, you've gone and re-written the rule book. Some great info and thought process to creating compositions. Much appreciated. Keep it coming 😀
Thank you Mr. Nigel
Well made video. Good helpful tips, even for street photographers like myself. Beautiful photos!
Learning so much from these videos, thank you so much.
So glad I found this, super useful tips.
Another impactful and engaging tutorial
Thank you so much. This is probably the best video I have seen on hoe to compose. Great content !
Glad it was helpful!
Nigel, what a great way of explaining and showing composition. only came across your vlogs a few weeks ago and realy enjoy them... thank you
Many thanks!!👊👍👊
You are very good at breaking down your images Nigel. Keep it up.
Very informative video, thanks! Looking forward to learning to apply these techniques.
Good stuff Nigel. I had an excellent workshop with David Ward and the key thing I took away from it was to simplify things. Work out what attracted you to a scene, and then try and eliminate anything that distracts from it. It's very hard, but very rewarding.
Andrew Tobin yep - great advice
Your passion and honesty is very engaging. Great channel - one of the better landscape channels.
Thanks Nigel! 👊
Hi Nigel thank you for sharing this was very helpful.
litterly every channel: 5/10 ways to improve
nigel: 7
Very helpful Nigel ! Giving me loads of ideas for Glencoe and Skye next week weather permitting .
Great commentary and information! Thank you so much Nigel
Thanks for the kind words
Looking in to videography and wanted to learn more about composition. This was a great help! Signed up for the news letter and ebook. Thank you for such great information.
Great video! You have given me some great tips/advice that I will look to use in the future. Thank you for posting this video
Hi Nigel, my eye sight is such that I cannot see 3D, I wonder how much that changes not only my view of the world but my compositional skills. Interesting thoughts.
I found like many others composition difficult and a steep learning curve of what works and what doesn’t work. Great video keep them coming.
Sorry to hear that. Interesting thought though. You can still walk past a tree in the foreground it will move quicker than the mountain in the background.
Fantastic tips. Thanks for sharing this.
I thought the sound was just fine at the beginning :) This is awesome. Thanks!
Wow. I found myself taking notes! A lot to take in but very worthwhile. I find a struggle between intuiting an image where the composition works and constructing a composition, rationally. Thanks so much for the effort you put into making these tutorials. I'm going to check out your composition ebook!
Thanks
Very helpful Nigel, thank you. As a beginner, I can see that there is a lot more to composition than first meets the eye.
I must also confess to being a little jealous of your snow/seasonal shots because although where I now live (Colombia) is an incredibly beautiful country, it´s tropical so it´s green. Always.
Also, we have no sheep.
HA!
i love your work !!!
What a lovely person. So not precious sharing such valuable secrets to the magic of how to achieve a great final image. I’m inspired! Thank you. Going to Northumberland National Park today for the weekend, just me and my cam 😊 and this has made me excited. I’ve hired a lens....
Wish I could hire Pebbles too 😂 such a loving companion.
Awesome vid. 🌈
Thanks so much Venessa... And a big paw from Pebs
Nigel Danson thank you Nigel. I’m gutted...my lens didn’t show up 😔
I hired it from Lens Pimp down Plymouth. Not their fault, dpd parcel delivery staff have the novo virus and are all ill. No staff and 7,000 parcels to sort 😩 hey ho. I was so frustrated but spent my time foraging around and looking at the light, basically I’ve done a reccy for my return! 💪
I shall not be beaten 😊
I’m coming back up for 10 days over the Christmas period so I’m determined to get st least one shot to be proud of. You are spoiled for choice up here. It’s stunning! Went to Kielder Observatory on Fri night and the sky was incredible. So I’m happy. I’ve subscribed to your channel because your vids are awesome. Non intimidating, just inspiring and encouraging. So grateful. Sitting with the log burner on in a little cottage thinking of Pebbles ❤️ Love Pebbles. Take care Nige. ✌️🌈 x
I love photography and have a nikon D5100... And more, i learning english an your videos are very good for my learn... Thank you very much.
Sorry need to backtrack...watch all your videos and sometimes forget to hit the like button.Thanks for the great tips!
Hey man never watched one of ur vids before but I have recently started getting into photography more. I really enjoy taking photos but I always felt like my composition prob wasn’t that great but I didn’t even know because I didn’t know anything about composition lol! Now that I’ve watched this video though I feel like I know so much more about composition! This video was really helpful! Keep up the good work man
That is brilliant thanks for letting me know
You have great insight, AND you share that insight. Thank You so much!