What Makes a Photo Stand Out? A Breakdown of Strong Composition

Great composition makes a photo compelling, guiding the viewer’s eye to what matters most. Strong images don’t happen by accident. The best photographers use contrast, color, and balance to create photos that hold attention and tell a story.

Coming to you from Mitch Lally, this insightful video breaks down how top photographers structure their images. One of the most critical elements is having a clear subject. Every strong photo has a focal point that immediately draws the eye. That’s usually achieved through contrast. Our eyes are naturally drawn to the brightest or most distinct areas in an image. If the highest contrast appears in the wrong place—say, a distracting background behind a portrait—it pulls attention away from the subject. The solution isn’t just cranking up contrast in editing. Instead, thoughtful composition places the subject in a way that naturally stands out.

Color plays a huge role as well. Lally explains how complementary colors—like blue and orange or green and red—enhance contrast and visual appeal. But color contrast isn’t just about hue. Brightness and saturation matter, too. A desaturated yellow against a rich yellow still creates visual separation. That’s why some photos remain effective in black and white. If the contrast between light and dark areas is strong, the composition still works. One great example in the video is an image by Nick Prau, where dark hair contrasts with lighter water, and the bright orange skin tones pop against deep green tones. It’s a masterclass in using both tonal and color contrast effectively.

Another key compositional element is balance. A subject positioned on one side of the frame can feel lopsided unless counterbalanced by another visual element. This doesn’t mean perfect symmetry—it’s about distributing visual weight so the image feels stable. Lally shows an example where a subject’s shadow in the lower right balances an island in the top left. In another case, Avery Swell’s photo uses architectural elements—two window openings—to frame a subject, giving the image a natural equilibrium. These subtle choices make an image feel intentional and harmonious.

Environmental elements also shape a composition. Many examples demonstrates how background and foreground interact to create depth and context. A well-placed structure, object, or shadow can enhance the subject instead of competing with it. Every element in the frame should contribute to the story or mood of the image. If something distracts, repositioning or reframing might be necessary. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Lally.