8 tips for creating photos that capture the attention of observers

Photo by Kevin Landwer-Johan

Do you find it difficult to take photos that truly capture people's attention? In our digital society, where image sharing is constant and immediate, it has become increasingly challenging to create photos that make viewers pause. We are overwhelmed by visual content scrolling rapidly across our screens, making it essential to stand out. The secret to grabbing attention and ensuring that someone actually stops to look at your photos lies, first and foremost, in good image composition. Effective composition can turn a simple snapshot into a work that evokes emotion and engages the viewer.

To help you improve your skills, I’ve prepared eight essential tips for creating photos that capture the attention of your audience, ensuring they don’t just scroll past quickly but take the time to view your image with interest and curiosity.

Photo by Kevin Landwer-Johan

1. Choose a Subject That Inspires You

The starting point of a successful photo is the choice of subject. Always ask yourself what captures your attention and why. When you choose to photograph subjects that inspire and excite you, it’s more likely that your photo will be interesting to others. This is because the connection you have with the subject inevitably reflects in the image. A photo always conveys something about the photographer, so select subjects with which you feel an emotional or aesthetic connection. Passion for what you're photographing will make the photo more intense and communicative.

Photo by Kevin Landwer-Johan

2. Isolate the Subject

A good way to make the main subject stand out is to isolate it from the background, preventing it from blending in with other surrounding elements. There are several techniques to achieve this. One of the most effective is using a shallow depth of field, which blurs the background while keeping the subject sharp and well-defined. This effect is achieved by adjusting the aperture: the wider it is, the more blurred the background will be. Another technique is to use a dark background, which helps the subject, especially if well-lit, to emerge strongly from the image.

Photo by Kevin Landwer-Johan

3. Choose Your Lens Carefully

The choice of lens plays a crucial role in composition. The perspective changes depending on whether you use a wide-angle lens or a telephoto lens. For example, getting close to the subject with a wide-angle lens creates a very different effect than photographing from a distance with a telephoto lens. Each lens has specific characteristics that influence the perception of space and proportions. To improve your ability to choose the right lens, experiment with different focal lengths and observe how the subject’s appearance changes. Only through practice will you understand which lens works best for the scene you want to capture.

Photo by Kevin Landwer-Johan

4. Frame the Subject

One of the main rules of composition is to limit what you include in the frame. Try to minimize elements that are not necessary for the visual story of your image. Move around the subject, study the scene from different angles, and find the viewpoint that best enhances the subject and relates it to the surrounding environment. Including too many details can distract the viewer, so focus on what is truly essential to the image.

5. Utilize the Foreground

Including an element in the foreground can add depth and dimensionality to your photo. This element can be in focus or blurred, depending on the result you want to achieve, but its purpose is always to guide the viewer's eye toward the main subject. A good use of the foreground helps create a dynamic and more engaging composition.

Photo by Kevin Landwer-Johan

6. Use Leading Lines and Diagonals

Leading lines are one of the most powerful tools in photographic composition. They can be natural, such as a path, road, or fence, or created by the environment, like the arrangement of objects in a scene. Using lines that lead the viewer’s gaze toward the main subject enhances the sense of balance and harmony in the photo. Diagonals, in particular, add dynamism and can create a strong visual impact, directing the eye toward the focal point of the image.

7. Choose the Right Moment

Timing is essential, especially in crowded environments or when there are many moving elements. Taking the shot at the wrong moment can ruin the composition, for instance, if someone walks in front of the subject just as you're about to shoot. Learn to observe carefully and anticipate the right moments to capture the image. In crowded places, it’s helpful to keep both eyes open to have a broader view of the scene and catch the perfect moment.

Photo by Kevin Landwer-Johan

8. Crop Creatively

While composition rules are useful, don’t be afraid to break them from time to time. A bold crop can create surprising effects and highlight the subject in unexpected ways. For example, cropping part of the subject or using negative space in an unusual way can add visual interest and give your photo an original touch. Experiment with different crops to find compositional solutions that emphasize the subject and enhance the visual narrative.

Photo by Kevin Landwer-Johan

Conclusion

Composition is one of the most important skills in photography. By applying these tips, you can improve the quality of your images and make them more attractive to viewers. The key is to pay attention to the main subject and everything around it, eliminating distractions and using effective techniques to make the subject stand out. In the end, the goal is to tell a story through your image and make sure that viewers see and perceive it as you do. With practice and awareness, you’ll be able to create photos that capture attention and leave a lasting impression on those who view them.