Combine multiple composition techniques... without the overwhelm of over 100 tools
Question: What is the one thing your smart smartphone cannot and will never be able to do?
Answer: Help you structure a photo and unlock your inner creativity
I'm here to tell you the TRUTH you need to know about composition. Taking photos with intention, seeing the world as more abstract, and editing from the perspective of the viewer 'reading' your photo is the key to creative photography.
One of the biggest problems you are facing is either being limited to the same basic techniques or completely overwhelmed by the number of techniques available. You are going to learn over 100 composition tools! But, this is one of the simplest systems to create a strong composition.
Imagine feeling less frustrated and underwhelmed with your photos. You have a great camera on your phone and know you are close to creating those stunning photos. Stronger composition is the key to unlocking your potential.
You can become more intentional in your photography, finding creative ways to take ordinary scenes and make them visually engaging. Confidently walk into any situation and find options to compose a scene in various ways, using flow, balance, and other tools to create your next best photo.
Your photos will have more cohesion, enhancing the experience. By attracting the viewer's eye to the parts of the photo we consider important, then directing them to other elements creates a narrative and holds their attention. This holds their attention and keeps them engaged. It sounds complicated... this system simplifies the process.
- Capture height
- Subject to lens distortion
- Perspective distortion
- Forced perspective - depth
- Symmetry - vertical, horizontal, spiral & radial
- & 26 more!
The simplest control you have in the composition is the position of you and the camera. Even the slightest of tweaks can dramatic improvements to perspective, orientation and use of light direction.
(45-minute video explaining each tool)
- Off-centre
- Isolation
- Fill the frame
- Focal point
- Left to right
- & 16 more!
Step two is intended to have you thinking about the photography intention and narrative. Where do you position the visual anchor - emphasis or dominant element for the viewer's attention to settle.
(30-minute video explaining each tool)
- Foreground interest
- Juxtaposition
- Minimalism
- Scale
- Layering
- & 29 more!
The addition, subtraction, or placement of visual elements and how they interact impact the attraction and direction of the viewer's eye. This is a fundamental part of constructing a photo more purposefully.
(65-minute video explaining each tool)
- Spot colour
- Differential focus
- Depth - diminished clarity & tone
- Frame edges - border patrol
- Closure - filling in the blank
- & 20 more!
This is the fun part of the composition. You have the basic structure that has the biggest impact all sorted. Now you get to add the finer visual cues to elevate composition to the next level.
(70-minute video explaining each tool)
This system delivers you faster results in less time! You can watch, pause, rewind and replay the video lessons anytime, online or offline across all devices. Other trainers explain the same basic compositional techniques. You will also learn elements of design and how to 'stack' compositional tools to get the best results.
As adults, we all learn differently. The recorded training video, printable PDF, bonus video content, continued contact through the community will complement your learning styles – auditory, verbal, social, solitary, auditory, and physical.
You will not feel abandoned and left to your own. You will have access to a course chat page to ask me any questions at any time. What other course gives you direct access to the course creator long after you have enrolled in a course?
As an extra bonus, you will have access to the Smartphone Photography Club Community Forum to start and join conversations and share your photos. This is a new community to support you, keep you inspired, challenged, and motivated. It is also the best way to stay in touch with myself and have any questions answered.
- Intuitively apply composition without being a slave to compositional rules!
- Empowered to 'stack' basic and advanced composition techniques to confidently create stronger photos
- Develop the ability to critique your own work and start modelling your favourite photographer's photos
- Be a part of a community of learning where you feel supported, motivated and inspired
Jenny Nolt
Cheryle Matthews
Terry Turkington
Terry Betts
In these bonus lessons, we cover the difference between intention, storytelling, photography goals and how design all contribute to the composition. We even cover how you can identify and develop your own style!
Before considering composition, we take a moment to consider the motivation and reason for taking the photo and the desired result. What was the stimulus that you are reacting to? Is it the tone, colour, shapes, form, or lighting that caught your attention? The next step is to provide those visual cues to assist the viewer recognise and share that intention with you.
Not all photographs need to tell a story. To remain an attention-grabbing, engaging photo it needs to have a fascination factor. Composition helps steer the viewer's attention to that fascination factor. The uniqueness could be the capture angle and perspective or a subject presented in a less common way.
The combination of intention and storytelling informs your decisions to select the best compositional techniques. The consistent selection of compositional techniques can inform and lead to a recognisable style as your own. These choices can be lens accessory field of view, create a unique field of view, and background blur amount.
Are you starting to see the transformation you are going to experience? This is so exciting.
Once you start taking the time to think about what it is you are capturing and the desired end result, dipping into the 4 composition toolboxes makes it easy to find the best tools for the situation.
Learn at your own pace and have direct support from me when needed in the included social wall. Over 3 1/2 hours of video that you can pause anytime and on any device.
All the techniques and tips in this 146 page PDF.
This PDF may be your preferred option to learn quickly by skim reading the content, so you can save time... and get out there shooting more!
Inside the Smartphone Photography Training Membership Area, you will have access to the PDF. Once you click the URL, you will also be able to download a printable version.
Do not feel abandoned after the course. This course has a dedicated social wall to have continued access to myself and other course participants.
What other online course offers that?
This is where you share your photos for me to provide feedback. A one-on-one image critique normally costs $49.
These quality lenses add extra capability and creativity to your photography
As an ambassador to Struman Optics, I can pass on an additional 15% off any existing discounted price on my website - here.
The multi-layer, crystal nano-coating and multi-element arrangement ensure the results are edge-to-edge sharp. There is minimal to no distortion and edge darkening (vignetting).
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- Click/tap the enrol page to order through the safe and secure order page
- You will be redirected to my separate Workshop Workbook offer. You can tap on No Thanks Mike
- Check your email for the access link, your username and temporary password
- You will now have access to your personalised library of content, including this course and bonuses
- You can reach out to me anytime for support - here
- 3-hour in-person workshop value to deliver equivalent content ($597 value)
- Printable PDF course workbook ($37 value)
- Social wall - community and post your photos to be included in photo review video (priceless)
- 15% discount off the entire Struman Optics lens range (up to $174 value)
- 14-Day Photo Creativity Challenge ($199 delivery value)
You have two options... continue to do it on your own, searching for free content and delaying your transformation by not investing in your hobby, believing it is too difficult to learn, you are not technical enough, or don't have the time.
OR
You can invest an hour to watch the webclass, unlock the photographer within, and start creating dynamically strong composed, and visually engaging photos you will be proud to share, post online and print.
One of the biggest obstacles you face is time. Despite over 3 1/2 hours of video and a 146-page eBook, you have access to a fast-track learning path that can easily be completed in a single one-hour session. The remainder of the course can then be used as an extensive resource unlike anything else available online.
The longer you wait, the more beautiful photos of precious moments and experiences you will miss.
+ If you are not happy for any reason
+ If you simply don’t feel this is for you
+ Or even if you don’t like my accent or my enthusiasm :)
You’ll get 100% of your money back NO QUESTIONS ASKED EVER
That makes this an absolutely no risk enrolment.
| Do I need to a basic understanding of photography first? |
| How long will the course take? |
If time is an issue for you. You are not alone! I have included a webclass that quickly covers all the content n the course. You can then refer to the course on for more information on each topic discussed.
I have a separate quick win learning path that provides 80% of the content in 20% of the time.
| What format is the training? |
This course is video-lesson based. You can start, pause and stop at any time. To accommodate different learning styles, you also get access to a substantial eBook version. The inclusion of the social wall and community is something that I am proud to be able to provide. The community of learning with other students and having continued, direct access to the course creator for personalised feedback is something we do not see enough online.
| What camera, smartphone or extra gear do I need? |
| I am not very technical. Will this work for me? |
| Which apps do you use? |
| Why not provide this system for free? |
| How long is this price available? |