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Rule of 1/3 's
Part of that decision means looking at what you want to emphasize in the picture, and what you want to hide or disguise. Remember there is always more than one way to frame a quality picture. Just think about the many shots you have seen of the seven wonders of the world… many good shots, all focusing on different aspects of world wonders and all from different directions, positions and angles.
Most pictures require some use of the Rule of Thirds. That rule refers to the composition of a photograph, a way to combine parts to make a whole. Most famous works of photographic art apply the Rule of Thirds in some fashion. Professional photographers agree the Rule is critical knowledge for quality pictures. Of course, they also agree most rules are meant to be creatively broken. The Rule of Thirds is described thusly: Image the frame of a picture and then divide it into nine equal parts, with three horizontal and three vertical lines. The intersection of lines (all four points) are said to be ideal positioning for the subject (or point of interest) for your photo. You give more emphasis to your subject at those points instead of the middle of the frame. The intersections also work for more than one focal point in the picture. Focal lines in the picture can also be created by framing the lines along the Rule of Thirds grid. That is, either the imaginary vertical or horizontal lines in the Rule can be focal lines in your picture. Landscape shots typically require this application. Diagonal lines may also be used on the Thirds grid to capture action and movement in a picture. And non-parallel diagonal lines create angles in contrast to the sides of the frame that can maximize the effect of the picture. In addition to lines, you can also use color as a focal point, either at the four intersecting points or along vertical or horizontal thirds-lines to define your picture. A contrasting color creates this definition and positioning your camera for a shot that captures different colors at just the right points makes your quality photo emerge. When framing an image in the viewfinder, a photographer will usually create a better image if he applies the Rule of Thirds. The next time you take a shot, get your point of focus out of the bullseye, and you will be pleasantly surprised by the results!
~A Mandarich Media Group Article~
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The first thing a photographer always has to decide is where to stand and which way to point the camera. Digital technology allows us to leave things like exposure and focus to an auto feature at best, or a button at worst. What we don’t have yet is an automatic way to frame the picture in the viewfinder, although the zoom begins to walk that road. Thankfully, the photographer still has to decide what he/she is going to shoot. This is where the creative aspect of photography begins.
There will be times when the message you choose to deliver in your picture is tranquility and serenity. Usually in such an image your picture will be perfectly balanced; the focus may be in the center of the picture. The viewer senses harmony. Be careful, because those pictures need careful attention to avoid looking contrived. 