Photography lessons: Workshop 2: Composition of picture

This isn’t that simple as it sounds :). I loved working on composition. Rule of thirds is just one of the rules of photo composition. Like someone correctly said, the important question to ask is -

"What message do I want my picture to deliver?"

I took some pics to understand and use these rules, but I wasn’t much satisfied with myself. Most of the times, u just want to take picture and u r just not able to figure wats the best angle/ composition for this frame! But let me note down my understanding here.

Rules of composition:

1. Isolate the subject:Don’t clutter the image, else the viewer will be lost and won’t have anything specific to look at.

Sometimes adding a secondary focal point makes the picture interesting; like capturing a house as secondary focal point and mountains as first.
Sometimes use of two focal points depicts a story

2. Layout, horizontal or vertical: This web page gives a classic explanation of layout to be considered for a picture.

3. Rule of thirds: My previous post

4. Fill the frame: Don’t leave huge empty space, like capturing one small tree and huge portion of sky.

5. Use lines/ symmetry patterns, always keep horizon/ water level straight

6. Diagonal rule (Explanation)

One side of the picture is divided into two, and then each half is divided into three parts. The adjacent side is divided so that the lines connecting the resulting points form a diagonal frame. According to the Diagonal Rule, important elements of the picture should be placed along these diagonals:

Linear elements, such as roads, waterways, and fences placed diagonally, are generally perceived as more dynamic than horizontally placed ones:

7. Headroom: Enough room for the subject's head.

8. Give "look-space"/ walking room: This is space in the frame that is in front of their eyes that allows them room to look or walk. So they don't look like they will bump into the edge of the photograph. Here's a Good Example of Look-Space & Walking Room: