In order to create the most professional looking photographs and graphics for multimedia, you will need to learn about the basic ideas of composition.

Composition is all about arranging elements within the frame to create the most visually appealing image and to communicate an idea.

Composition and Balance
A good composition is well balanced. Symmetry is where a photograph is equally balanced in two halves of a picture. A-symmetry balance is when the visual weight is heavier on one side of the composition.

	Rule of Thirds A basic rule to follow when composing a photograph is to use the rule of thirds. Imagine the subject is divided into three equal parts. The main subject should take up two thirds of the composition in either the horizontal or vertical plane. Try to place points of interest (such as people) at the place where the horizontal and vertical thirds meet.
	Line You can use the direction of lines to create a particular mood or feeling for a photograph. Diagonal lines add a sense of tension or drama to a photograph. Curved lines create a feeling of peace, welcome or calm to a photo.
	Perspective Combining vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines can create the feeling of perspective or depth in a photograph. The viewer has the feeling that they can see space and distance in the photograph.
	Frame within a frame You can use a frame such as doorway or window to emphasize your subject.

Camera angles and composition
Choosing what angle you will take a photograph from can really change the mood or feeling of the photograph. Before you take a photograph, decide whether you should get up high, get down low or stay standing up.

Taking a photograph from a low angle can make the subject look bigger or even threatening.

Taking a photograph from a high angle can make the subject look smaller, vulnerable or less important.

Getting closer to your subject will usually result in a better photograph. Beginning photographers often make the mistake of being too far away.

Cropping
To help focus on the main subject of your photograph, you many need to crop or leave out things that you can see. Cropping can be a decision you make when taking the photograph but you can also crop an image later using an image editing software such as Gimp or Photoshop.

	Avoid backlighting Don’t point the camera into the sun or a light. Don’t have the main source of light (like the sun) behind your subject. The camera will expose the photograph to the bright light and leave your subject in shadow.
	Use light and shadow The best times to take photographs outside, is in the early morning and the late afternoon. This is because the shadows will be softer. There is less contrast between areas of light and shadow in the photograph. The colours of the landscape also change depending on the time of day. This can affect the mood of the photograph.