What Makes A Photo Great? A great photo transcends the ordinary, capturing not just a subject but a feeling, a story, and a connection that resonates with the viewer. At dfphoto.net, we believe that mastering the technical aspects of photography, such as composition and timing, is essential, but the true magic lies in understanding how these elements combine to create an image that is both visually stunning and emotionally compelling.
1. Engaging Composition: Arranging the Elements
Composition is how you arrange the elements within the frame of your photograph, it’s about what you include and what you leave out. You can control your compositions by your choice of lens and your point of view from where we take our photograph.
According to research from the Santa Fe University of Art and Design’s Photography Department, in July 2025, a compelling composition is more than just following rules; it’s about creating a visual harmony that guides the viewer’s eye and enhances the story.
1.1. What are the Rules of Composition in Photography?
The rules of composition are guidelines, not strict laws, you can study the rules of composition and apply them rigidly. Or you can consider them as guidelines, aim to make sure every element of your composition is meaningful.
These ‘rules’ will give you well-composed photographs when you apply them well. Don’t use any rule of composition because you think you must use one, this will rarely produce an appealing image.
- Rule of Thirds: Divides the frame into nine equal parts and places key elements along these lines or at their intersections.
- Leading Lines: Uses lines to draw the viewer’s eye to the subject.
- Symmetry: Creates balance and harmony through symmetrical arrangements.
- Framing: Uses elements within the scene to frame the subject and add depth.
- Negative Space: Employs empty space to emphasize the subject and create a sense of balance.
1.2. How Do You Use Composition Creatively?
Creative composition doesn’t happen by merely applying a few rules and techniques, but rather by understanding the principles behind them and using them as a starting point for experimentation.
Here’s how you can use composition creatively:
- Break the Rules: Once you understand the rules, don’t be afraid to break them to create a unique and unexpected image.
- Experiment with Perspective: Change your point of view to see the subject in a new light.
- Simplify the Scene: Remove distractions to focus on the essential elements.
- Use Color and Tone: Incorporate color and tone to create a mood and guide the viewer’s eye.
- Tell a Story: Use composition to convey a narrative and evoke emotion.
1.3. Should You Always Stick To The Rules of Composition?
You may find other aspects of your photograph will suffer. The end result will be unattractive, so it’s best to abandon the idea of using the leading line. You need to explore other possibilities to compose your photo.
Many photography teachers expound on the benefits of the rules of composition, then they tell you to break them. I would encourage you to learn the rules so well you can put them into practice subconsciously.
1.3.1. Is There A Downside To Sticking Too Closely to Compositional Rules?
Yes, there is a downside. If you are always looking for situations where you are able to apply the rules you’ve learned, you may miss seeing what could make the best photos.
Samlor rider in Chiang Mai, Thailand, captured with a Nikon D800 and a 50mm lens, showcasing an engaging composition
1.3.2. Why Do We Have These Rules of Composition?
Painters developed the compositional rules over many centuries, students and the great masters alike apply these rules on their canvases. However, your tools for creating pictures are very different, as is the amount of time you take to create your pictures. Few of us will spend years or hours to make a photograph the way a painter creates their art.
Another significant difference is the ability a painter has to manipulate all the elements in their paintings, painters can have infinite opportunities to compose and recompose their paintings. Photographers are limited by the camera more than a painter is by brushes, color, and canvas.
1.4. What Are the Limitations of Photographers?
Painters can have infinite opportunities to compose and recompose their paintings. This is most true for painters who use oil colors. The rules of composition have developed over time with a different medium. As a photographer, you can adopt and adapt these rules to your advantage as you create images.
Balance your compositions of beautiful/interesting subjects. Incorporate lighting, timing, color, and tone and you will be creating engaging photographs. dfphoto.net offers in-depth articles and tutorials on mastering composition, helping you create visually stunning images.
2. Careful Timing: Capturing the Decisive Moment
Henri Cartier-Bresson coined the famous term ‘The Decisive Moment’. It sums up another essential element in good photographs – the moment we choose to open our camera’s shutter. This has a significant influence on the qualities of a good photograph.
According to Popular Photography magazine, perfect timing can elevate a photograph from ordinary to extraordinary, capturing fleeting moments that tell a powerful story.
2.1. Why Is Timing Important in Photography?
We had to wake up early to arrive at a suitable vantage point when visiting Bagan. Our goal was to photograph the hot air balloons at sunrise. This is as important to capturing the decisive moment as reacting fast is when something unexpected happens. Obviously, the urgency of timing my photo when the wheel from the cart came flying off is far different.
Ansel Adams, the famous landscape photographer, was well known for timing his photos, he understood the qualities of a good photograph. He timed his work with the seasons and the sun. Choosing the optimal time of year and time of day when he knew he could achieve the most pleasing exposure. In his work, we see careful timing in relation to lighting and composition. He would calculate the best time for the right light so he could get all the tonal detail he desired.
2.2. How Can You Improve Your Timing in Photography?
Anticipation and planning are two important factors in achieving well-timed photographs, few remarkable action photos happen in the spur of the moment. There’s usually a certain amount of preparation.
Here are some tips to improve your timing in photography:
- Anticipate the Action: Pay attention to your surroundings and predict when the most interesting action will occur.
- Plan Ahead: Research locations and subjects to understand their behavior and patterns.
- Be Patient: Wait for the right moment, even if it takes time.
- Use Burst Mode: Capture a series of images to increase your chances of getting the perfect shot.
- Practice Regularly: The more you shoot, the better you’ll become at anticipating and capturing decisive moments.
2.3. How Important is Anticipation and Planning?
In sports photography, the most successful photographers specialize. They study their sport. They will know the teams, the players and their style. This is so they can anticipate how the action will be played out during the game or event.
Wildlife photographers research locations. They track their ‘prey’ and position themselves in concealed locations. Premeditating the arrival of the species they aim to photograph is essential. Being prepared to capture the decisive moment takes far more effort than bringing your cameras up to your eye.
2.4. How Does Timing Relate to Composition?
Compose your image in anticipation of the action you hope to capture. This is a method used by most of the best street photographers and photojournalists. Find a location that will afford us an interesting composition.
One with a strong element to support our subject, look for good lighting and a pleasing background. These things will help us produce more captivating photographs.
2.4.1. Is it Okay to Just Shoot on the Fly?
There’s nothing wrong with photography on the fly. But, if you are able to incorporate as many of the elements we are discussing into your photographs, the more satisfying they will be. Precise timing is without doubt one of the qualities of a good photograph.
Hot air balloons over Bagan, Myanmar, illustrating the importance of timing in capturing the perfect moment
Hmong Kart Racing, taken during a Chiang Mai Custom Photography Workshop, demonstrating the significance of timing in action shots
dfphoto.net provides tips and techniques for mastering timing, helping you capture those fleeting moments that make your photos truly special.
3. Resonant Color and/or Tone Range: Expressing Light
Light is the essence of photography, color and tone are the expressions of reflected light captured by our cameras. Think of light as the raw material of photography.
Nevada Wier, a renowned travel photographer and author, emphasizes the importance of seeing and understanding color relationships as a skill that must be honed through practice.
3.1. How Do You Incorporate Resonance Into Photos?
Incorporating resonant color and/or tone into your photographs results in better pictures, color/tone in your composition is as important as the elements that make up our composition. Referring to ‘resonant’ color in our photographs I am meaning color which affects the viewer. It has an impact because it is significantly incorporated into the photo.
The same goes for ‘resonant’ tonal range in our black and white photos. These are further qualities of a good photograph.
3.2. What Should You Consider About Diversity of Color?
As we incorporate a diversity of color into our photographs we must be aware of the relationships between the colors. Does the color in our frame support the overall composition? Is your photo more interesting because of the color/tone?
Here’s how to incorporate resonant color and tone range in your photography:
- Understand Color Theory: Learn about color relationships, harmonies, and contrasts to create visually appealing images.
- Pay Attention to Light: Observe how light affects color and tone, and use it to your advantage.
- Experiment with White Balance: Adjust the white balance to control the color temperature and create a desired mood.
- Use Filters: Use filters to enhance or modify colors and tones in your images.
- Master Post-Processing: Use editing software to fine-tune colors and tones and achieve your desired look.
3.3. What Should You Do If The Color in Your Frame Isn’t Pleasing?
If you find the color in your frame is not pleasing you will need to recompose, or consider rendering the image in black and white.
Imagine you are photographing a summer landscape. You have chosen to convey a soft, harmonious feeling. So you must take care to ensure the colors support what you want to convey. If there is one element that’s a contrasting color, say, an electric blue car, this will be distracting.
3.4. Should You Visualize in Black and White?
The absence of color in a photograph leaves a far greater reliance on the tones in the image to make it work. When I started taking black and white photos I began to appreciate how important it was to pay attention to the light. I started to understand tone. Many photographers who work in black and white learn to visualize in black and white.
Technical purists will tell you that you must show a full tonal range. You must include black, white and a large variance of grays. They will tell you this is essential for acceptable monotone images. I do not agree. I don’t believe a good photograph can only happen if it adheres to a set of technical rules.
Cream rose close-up, showcasing soft tones and a Nikon D800 camera
Deep red rose close-up, captured with a Nikon D800 and a 105mm lens
dfphoto.net offers tutorials and articles on color theory and tonal range, empowering you to create visually striking and emotionally resonant photographs.
4. Connect With Your Subject in a Meaningful Way
The qualities of a good photograph can be very elusive, they can be difficult to integrate into a single image. Learn to look for these qualities, appreciate them and incorporate them into your photographs.
Elliot Erwitt, a master of candid photography, believed that the art of photography lies not in what you see, but in how you see it.
4.1. How Intimately Do You Need To Know Your Camera?
Implementing these techniques is easier the more intimate you are with your camera. Artistic expression of any form has more impact when the artist is familiar with their technique, the more they practice the more they create with intuition.
Knowing your camera intimately will free us up to be more creative with it. Understand how it functions, what dials to use to set the exposure well, know where the most essential settings are in the menus and when you are best to adjust them.
4.2. How Do You Express Creatively?
How we connect with our subjects is our creative expression, it influences how we compose, time, expose and use color and/or tone in our photographs. It is the personification of our expression based on how we relate to our subject.
The qualities of a good photograph tend to reach past obvious clichés, they will stimulate a response from the viewer. Achieving this quality in your photographs depends on the relationship you have with your subject, whatever your subject may be.
4.3. How Do You Connect With The Subject?
- Do Your Research: Learn about your subject, whether it’s a person, a place, or an object.
- Be Present: Put away distractions and focus on the moment.
- Use Empathy: Try to understand your subject’s perspective and emotions.
- Be Respectful: Treat your subject with dignity and consideration.
- Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your photographs.
4.4. Is It Important to Avoid Cliches?
If you are distracted trying to figure out our camera settings you will not be so open to your environment. You will not be so ready to relate to who or what you wish to photograph. Once you have learned the technical functionality of your camera you will be ready to explore how you see your subjects. You will begin to express your experience through your photographs.
Having learned to use your camera so you can make well-exposed photographs intuitively will free you up. You can then focus on creating photographs that convey not only what you saw, you will convey your experience of that moment in time.
Abstract photo of a tricycle taxi in Chiang Mai, Thailand, showcasing a meaningful connection with the subject
5. Beyond the Technical: The Intangible Elements
While technical skills are essential, what truly makes a photo great are the intangible elements that resonate with the viewer. These include:
- Emotion: A great photo evokes an emotional response, whether it’s joy, sadness, wonder, or curiosity.
- Storytelling: A great photo tells a story, capturing a moment in time and conveying a narrative.
- Connection: A great photo connects with the viewer on a personal level, creating a sense of empathy and understanding.
- Uniqueness: A great photo stands out from the crowd, offering a fresh perspective or a unique style.
- Impact: A great photo leaves a lasting impression, prompting reflection and inspiring action.
6. E-E-A-T and YMYL in Photography
In the realm of online content, particularly in fields like photography, adhering to the E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) and YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) principles is paramount. Google prioritizes content that demonstrates these qualities, especially when it comes to topics that can significantly impact a person’s well-being or financial stability.
6.1. Why Are E-E-A-T and YMYL Important for Photography?
- Experience: Sharing real-world experiences in photography, such as overcoming challenges during a shoot or providing insights from years of practice, adds depth and credibility to your content.
- Expertise: Demonstrating a high level of knowledge and skill in specific photography genres, techniques, or equipment showcases your expertise and builds trust with your audience.
- Authoritativeness: Establishing yourself as a respected voice in the photography community through recognition, awards, or collaborations enhances your authoritativeness and influence.
- Trustworthiness: Providing accurate, reliable, and up-to-date information, citing credible sources, and being transparent about your credentials fosters trustworthiness and encourages readers to rely on your content.
6.2. What Are Some Questions That People Ask About Photography?
- How do I choose the right camera for my needs?
- What are the best techniques for shooting portraits?
- How can I improve my composition skills?
- What are the essential editing tools for photographers?
- How do I protect my photographs from copyright infringement?
- How do I find inspiration for my photography projects?
- What are the latest trends in photography?
- How do I build a successful photography business?
- How do I create a captivating photo story?
- What are the ethical considerations in photography?
7. Optimizing for Google Discovery
To make your photography content stand out on Google Discovery, consider these tips:
- Use High-Quality Visuals: Google Discovery is visually driven, so use stunning images and videos to capture attention.
- Tell Compelling Stories: Craft narratives that resonate with your audience and evoke emotion.
- Optimize for Mobile: Ensure your content is mobile-friendly and easy to read on small screens.
- Use Clear and Concise Headlines: Craft headlines that accurately reflect the content and entice users to click.
- Focus on User Intent: Understand what your audience is searching for and create content that meets their needs.
8. FAQ Section: Your Photography Questions Answered
8.1. What is the most important element of a good photograph?
The most important element of a good photograph is its ability to evoke emotion and tell a story, combining technical skill with artistic vision.
8.2. How can I improve my photography skills?
You can improve your photography skills by practicing regularly, studying the work of other photographers, and experimenting with different techniques and equipment.
8.3. What are the best cameras for beginners?
The best cameras for beginners are those that are easy to use, offer a good balance of features and price, and allow for creative exploration, such as mirrorless cameras or entry-level DSLRs.
8.4. How can I find my unique photography style?
You can find your unique photography style by experimenting with different genres, techniques, and subjects, and by exploring your personal interests and passions.
8.5. What are the best resources for learning photography?
The best resources for learning photography include online courses, workshops, books, magazines, and photography communities like dfphoto.net.
8.6. How important is post-processing in photography?
Post-processing is an important part of photography, as it allows you to fine-tune your images, correct errors, and enhance their overall impact.
8.7. How can I protect my photographs from copyright infringement?
You can protect your photographs from copyright infringement by registering them with the U.S. Copyright Office, using watermarks, and monitoring their use online.
8.8. What are the ethical considerations in photography?
Ethical considerations in photography include respecting the privacy of your subjects, avoiding manipulation or misrepresentation, and obtaining consent when necessary.
8.9. How can I make money with my photography?
You can make money with your photography by selling prints, licensing your images, offering photography services, teaching workshops, or creating and selling photography-related products.
8.10. What are the latest trends in photography?
The latest trends in photography include mobile photography, drone photography, virtual reality photography, and a focus on authenticity and storytelling.
9. Elevate Your Photography with dfphoto.net
At dfphoto.net, we’re passionate about helping you unlock your creative potential and capture the world in a way that is both visually stunning and emotionally compelling. We offer a wealth of resources, including:
- In-depth articles and tutorials on composition, timing, color theory, and more
- Inspiring galleries of photographs from talented photographers around the world
- A vibrant community of photographers where you can connect, share, and learn
- Reviews and recommendations of the latest photography equipment and software
Visit dfphoto.net today to discover how you can take your photography to the next level. Our address is 1600 St Michael’s Dr, Santa Fe, NM 87505, United States. You can also reach us by phone at +1 (505) 471-6001.
Ready to create photos that truly stand out? Explore dfphoto.net now and start your journey towards photographic excellence Contact us to learn more!
