Every great photo has a clear subject — and emphasis is how you make it stand out. Learn how to use size, contrast, placement, and focus to give your subject visual dominance in the frame.

Over-the-shoulder shots place the viewer in the scene — not just looking at it. They create depth, suggest story, and pull the audience closer. Learn how to use this cinematic technique for more immersive smartphone photos.

You’ve seen the golden spiral and the rule of thirds — but where do these ideas come from, and how can they help your composition? These classical patterns guide the viewer’s eye and create natural harmony.

The viewer’s eye doesn’t just land on a photo — it travels through it. By understanding how the eye moves, you can guide attention, control flow, and make your photos more purposeful and engaging.

Flat lays offer a bird’s-eye view that’s ideal for telling visual stories with simplicity and style. Whether you're photographing food, objects, or arrangements, shooting from directly overhead gives your smartphone photos a clean, professional edge.

Some scenes are just too tall for a single shot. Vertical panoramas help you capture everything — from the ground to the sky — without stepping back. Learn how to use this underrated smartphone feature to create dramatic, towering images.

Closure lets your viewer finish the photo. By using partial shapes or implied forms, you invite them to mentally complete the image - creating connection, curiosity, and stronger engagement.

Your photo is more than a subject — it’s a visual experience. Flow and hierarchy help you control how the eye moves and what matters most. Learn how to guide the journey and shape your story.

The more you know about what you’re photographing, the better you’ll compose. Subject research helps you anticipate behavior, reveal detail, and tell stories that a casual glance might miss.

Crooked photos feel unintentional. Straightening them — even slightly — creates balance, clarity, and professionalism. This one edit can transform your smartphone photo in seconds.

Cropping isn’t just about cutting things out — it’s about improving focus. Use it to enhance balance, strengthen the subject, and clean up your frame for clearer, more compelling composition.

Crushing the blacks adds punch and focus to your image. By deepening shadows and removing faint detail, you simplify the frame — and let your subject shine.

Shooting from ground level changes how your subject interacts with space and light. It adds drama, surprise, and storytelling potential — especially in scenes that feel ordinary at eye level. Here’s how to use this perspective for stronger smartphone shots.

Changing your perspective changes your photo. By simply looking up, you reveal patterns, scale, and visual drama that most people never notice. This easy shift in viewpoint creates smartphone photos that stand out — even in familiar places.

Reflections can turn ordinary scenes into captivating compositions. Whether it’s a puddle, window, mirror, or phone screen — reflective surfaces offer opportunities for symmetry, abstraction, and visual storytelling with your smartphone.

Masking gives you editing control — not everything in your photo needs the same adjustment. Use it to selectively sharpen, brighten, or soften areas to bring out your composition’s full potential.

What looks good on your phone might not work on a feed. Learn how to adapt your composition for square, vertical, and widescreen formats — and keep your photos strong everywhere they’re seen.

Even the strongest composition can be weakened by stray elements. Removing distractions helps your subject stand out — and keeps your viewer immersed in the moment.

Long before cameras, painters mastered visual storytelling. Learn how their classical composition techniques — from Rembrandt lighting to implied perspective — can elevate your photography today.

Balance isn’t always about symmetry. Visual weight — the way elements pull attention — helps you create stronger, more intentional compositions on any smartphone.