You don’t have to be a professional to be able to take a photo that captures attention. But if you want to know the rules, here’s an introduction from San Diego-based photographer Stephen Bay. 

The first is uniqueness. Bay says he has made it a habit to find something distinct in a photo that no one else has covered. 

“If my subject is a well-known landmark, I ask myself, is this composition one that I’ve seen before? If the answer is yes, what will be different about my photo? What am I trying to say that’s different from everybody else? If I can’t answer that, I won’t take the picture.”

Composition, as Bay explained, is the manner in which the photographer arranges the visual elements of a scene. The central focal point, the area that naturally draws the eye and demands the most attention, is one of those key elements. Here’s Bay sharing how he picks his central focal point:

“I look at how the light and shadows in the scene may lead the viewer’s eyes between focal points. I look at the geometry of objects (and for landscapes, the terrain) and how this may guide the viewer’s eye around the scene.”

Lighting, as we know, can affect the mood of a photo. And if this is something you would usually play around with when taking pictures, here are some tips from Bay: 

“Overcast light is often good for low-key scenes with a somber mood. It’s also very good light for showing details and texture. Taking the photo shown below during golden hour would have resulted in a very different emotional impact.”

If you prefer landscape photos, Bay advises taking them during the “magic hour.” This is the time during sunset or daybreak when the sky turns a bright, golden hue.

“This light results in colorful skies, warm saturated colors, and shadows that help define subjects but aren’t too harsh.”

Photography, as veteran photographer Ivan Martinez explains, “shows the world through your eyes.” And finding inspiration, he says, is about “developing your own view of the world” instead of just abiding by technical rules. 

“Some photographers skip the ‘unwritten rules’ of photography and still end up with great pieces—just because of the interesting view of the world they showed through their work.”

The rule of thirds is one of those technical guidelines. In a nutshell, it places the subject either on the right or left third of the frame, leaving two-thirds of empty space. It’s an effective concept, but breaking the rule of thirds can also yield interesting results. Photographer Derek Boyd gives an example. 

“If your subject is going to be a really small part of the image, sometimes the best way to highlight them is to break the rule of thirds and put them almost dead center.”