Composition Rules in Depth: Keep Your Edges Clean
- Gary Holpin
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Those of you who followed my series of blogs on 'The ten ingredients of great landscape photos' will know that composition comes very high up the list! Those of you who have attended any of my training courses will also know that I always teach composition as the first topic. Why? Because learning the art of composition is the most important skill for any developing photographer; in fact, simply by mastering composition, you can hugely improve your photos with any camera. It's for this reason that, in this series of blogs, we're looking in depth at the art of composition.
The ingredients of great landscape photos
Other than finding a great subject to photograph, composition is the next most important factor in any great landscape photo.
What are composition rules?
I firmly believe that understanding and improving your composition is the quickest and easiest way to improve your photos, whatever camera you use. This is why it’s the topic that I always cover first in all of my training courses, both for mobile phone users and DSLR camera users
Why do snaps so rarely do justice to a beautiful view?
I'm sure we've all stood looking at a beautiful view, pointed our camera at it and snapped the shutter, only to get home and realised that whilst the view was beautiful, the photo is just plain dull! The reason for this is that we are used to seeing with our amazing binocular vision which sees the world in in three dimensions. As soon as we lose that third dimension in creating a two- dimensional photo, this view can immediately lose its essence. Put simply, a two-dimensional representation of a beautiful view can often be boring!
So, how do we make photos of beautiful views interesting?
To make a two-dimensional landscape photo more interesting, it's necessary to use one or more tricks, to build interest into the image. In a 'point and shoot’ snap of that beautiful view, there is likely to be little to grab the interest of the viewer, and they are more than likely to glance at it and then look away (which equals boring!). Instead, to develop as a photographer, you need to move away from taking a snap and move towards composing an image which grabs the viewers’ attention, pulling them into, and through the photo. This journey forces them to look longer at the photo, and in doing so, makes it more interesting to look at.
One of the easiest ways of improving that photo is to use one or more little tricks, often called ‘composition rules’ to make the image more interesting to look at and help to do better justice to that beautiful view. Although there are loads of composition rules (just Google it and you will find hundreds!), below are a handful of what I believe are the most powerful ones to have in your mental checklist when composing a photo.
Ensure you have a focal point
Construct your frame using the rule of thirds
Utilise lead-in lines to help draw the viewer into the frame
Use layers to help give depth
Find foreground interest especially when shooting wide
Embrace symmetry
Provide a sense of scale
Use the rule of odds
Keep your edges clean
Embrace diagonals
Use negative space
Ensure balance
Over this series of blogs, we'll look in detail at each of these 'rules' to help equip you with a mental checklist for how to compose better landscapes.
Composition Rule Number 9: Keep Your Edges Clean!
When we talk about strong composition in landscape photography, it’s easy to focus on the main subject, the light, or the overall balance of the scene. But one of the most common mistakes I see, especially among beginners, is forgetting to pay attention to the edges of the frame. It’s a small detail, but it can make a huge difference to the impact of your images.
Why Clean Edges Matter
The edges of your frame are like the borders of a painting. They define the boundary of your photo and help direct the viewer’s eye. If something distracting is poking in from the side; a stray tree branch, a passer-by’s arm, or a flash of bright colour, it can instantly draw attention away from your main subject. The human eye is naturally drawn to contrast and bright areas, so even a small distraction on the edge can steal the show.
In landscape photography, it’s surprisingly easy to miss a twig, a bit of litter, or an awkwardly placed fence post sneaking into the corner. These things might seem minor at the time, but they can make your image feel cluttered or careless when viewed later.
The Last Check Before You Shoot
One of the best habits you can develop is to pause before pressing the shutter and do a quick scan around the entire edge of your frame. This only takes a second or two, but it can save you a lot of time and frustration later. Here’s what I recommend:
Scan all four edges and corners for anything that doesn’t belong.
Look for bright spots, sharp lines, or recognisable shapes that could draw the eye.
Check for partial objects-half a tree, a cropped sign, or the edge of a person.
If you spot something unwanted, don’t just hope it won’t matter. Take action:
Move your position: Sometimes just a small step left or right, or a slight crouch, is enough to eliminate the distraction.
Reframe or zoom: Adjust your composition to crop out the problem area, but be mindful not to lose important elements elsewhere in the frame, or overall balance.
Wait for the moment: If it’s a moving object, such as a person or car, it might be worth waiting a few seconds for it to move out of shot.
Don’t Compromise Your Main Composition
It’s important to keep your edges clean, but not at the expense of your main subject or the overall composition. If removing a distraction means losing what’s essential to the photo, weigh up your options. Sometimes, a minor edge distraction is the lesser evil compared to compromising the main image.
Editing as a Last Resort
Of course, not every distraction can be avoided in-camera. If you can’t remove it at the time, you can usually crop or clone it out in post-processing. However, this should be your last resort. Cropping to fix an edge issue often means losing part of your intended composition, and using removal tools takes time and is not always wholly effective.
Getting it right in-camera not only saves you editing time but also ensures you keep the full integrity of your original vision.
A Simple Habit for Stronger Photos
Making a habit of checking your edges before every shot is one of the simplest ways to improve your photography. It’s a small step that instantly makes your images look more deliberate and professional.
Next time you’re out with your camera, challenge yourself to keep those edges clean. Your future self-and anyone viewing your photos-will appreciate the extra care you’ve taken.
Want professional help improving your photography skills?
Don't forget that if you want some direct help with your photography, I offer a range of 1-2-1 photography courses for Devon based folks. If you're not nearby then I also offer residential workshops for beginner photographers or improving photographers.
About Gary Holpin Photography
As a professional photographer based in Devon, my journey began along the stunning South West Coast Path. Disappointed with my initial attempts to capture its beauty, I embarked on a second 630-mile journey, this time dedicated to mastering photography. Today, I'm a nationally acclaimed photographer with award-winning landscape photos.
I specialize in providing top-notch property photography, business photography, and drone photography services to businesses across the South West. Additionally, I offer comprehensive photography training courses tailored for both businesses and individuals. Whether you're looking to enhance your corporate image or improve your personal photography skills, my training programs are designed to help you capture stunning images.
As an award-winning and widely published photographer, I frequently share my passion for photography and Devon through engaging talks at local camera clubs and community groups. My expertise spans the entire South West region, ensuring that clients from Devon, Dorset & Somerset benefit from high-quality photography services and training.
