Composition is more than following rigid rules or ticking boxes on a checklist. Understanding composition means expanding your toolkit, so you can intuitively capture striking images in any scenario.
Coming to you from Max Kent, this insightful video focuses first on framing—but not the traditional type confined to a picture's edges. Kent explores how creatively using the foreground can spotlight your subject in unexpected ways, creating impactful, intriguing photographs. Using examples ranging from a gondolier in Vegas framed by an out-of-focus wall, to a Venetian scene mostly composed of negative space, he demonstrates how a well-placed foreground can add depth and direct viewers' eyes right to the heart of the photo. Kent further flips the idea of framing by showing images where the subject is intentionally blurred, positioned against a sharply defined background, offering a fresh twist on visual storytelling.
Kent also highlights another compositional technique—using blocks of color. Instead of relying solely on complex color theory, he simplifies the idea: effective compositions often break naturally into distinct color sections. Through clear examples, such as a scene in Sorrento with defined layers of yellow and blue, Kent explains how thoughtfully dividing your images into color blocks can heighten their visual impact. He reinforces this by discussing a Monument Valley image with sharp contrasts and silhouettes, illustrating how managing color and shadow transforms everyday scenes into compelling visuals. This advice resonates because it simplifies the complex topic of color theory into practical strategies anyone can apply instantly.
Kent emphasizes throughout the video that these techniques—foreground framing, color blocks, and layering light—aren't mandatory rules but flexible tools. They should complement your instincts, not constrain them. He encourages experimentation, recognizing that your personal style emerges from choosing which compositional tools resonate with you and discarding those that don't. By embracing this flexibility, you refine your unique photographic identity. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Kent.
