Lenspiration Course
Mastering Composition
A video course for photographers aspiring to be artists! Learn the principles of composition that make photos inherently attractive.
Learn how to trigger attraction to a photo
Discover 20+ principles of composition
Watch video lessons packed with example images
Course Overview
The 5 Sections of the Composition Course
1. Help the Subject Stand Out
In the first section, we’ll learn composition tools that enable you to help the subject stand out. When you intentionally incorporate these tools, your photos will look more simple, thus making the subject stand out better, which will make your photos more attractive.
2. Direct the Eye to the Subject
In the second section, we’ll talk about the composition tools you'll use to direct the eye to the subject. How do you utilize parts of the composition to compel eye movement in certain directions? How do you keep the eye in the photo? With an artist's mindset, you'll be able to start applying the right tools in each situation for creating beauty out of what is available.
3. Create the Impression of Depth
The third section is all about creating the sense of a third dimension in the two dimensional world of a photo: in other words, creating the impression of depth. When you incorporate depth, you create a photo that feels like you can walk right into it! And those are the kind of photos you just want to keep looking at, without anyone telling you to do so.
4. Provide Pleasing Spacing
One thing that’s missing in a lot of budding photographer’s photos is adequate spacing. The fourth section of this course will dive into the tools you need to provide spacing in your photos that is pleasing, appropriate and intentional. When you do this, your photos become easier to look at, thus making them more attractive. Get a grasp on the practical influence of converging elements, breathing objects, and line of sight!
5. Achieve a Sense of Balance
Do you know how to use composition to make the photo have a pleasing sense of balance? In this final section, learn to prevent “dead” centered compositions, provide appropriate balance between elements, recognize busy space, empty space, and abstract shapes . . . and so much more! It all begins with a study in visual mass and the factors that cause elements in a photo to have their own gravitational pull.
Conclusion: Bring inherent attraction to your photos!
Apply composition tools, and the result will be attractive photos regardless of what you’re taking a picture of. Composition is powerful. Master it.
Here’s how it works:
Access the Course
Log in to your account, go to “My Courses” on the top menu, and then select your course (first time, click “Take This Course”).
Do each Lesson
Take each Quiz
Fulfill each Assignment
Get Help Along the Way
Post your coursework on the Lenspiration Forums for feedback, interaction and general accountability
Continue to the end
Do all the videos, quizzes and assignments in each lesson of the course
Celebrate accomplishment!
When you have completed the course, you will receive a certificate of completion.
Preview the course: click the video below to watch Lesson 1 of Mastering Composition
Course Syllabus
The Mastering Composition Course in a Nutshell
Section 1: Help the Subject Stand Out
- Defining Composition
- 5 Triggers of Attraction
- Simplicity
- Filling the Frame
- Identifying Distractions
- Separation
- Eye-Catching Contrast
- Halos
- Bold Shapes and Color
- Intentional Order
- Repetition
- Anomalies
Section 2: Direct the Eye to the Subject
- The Artist’s Mindset
- Visual Impressions
- Lines
- Mood and Emotion
- Eye Movement
- Leading Elements
- Framing
- Vanishing Point
- One-Point Perspective
- Two-Point Perspective
Section 3: Create the Impression of Depth
- Background
- Middleground
- Foreground
- Front-to-Back Progression
- Visual Anchors
- Forced Perspective
- Diminishing Scale
- Overlap
- Near-Far Relationships
Section 4: Provide Pleasing Spacing
- Converging Elements
- Visual Merging
- Visual Grouping
- Visual Closure
- Breathing Objects
- Breathing Edges
- Breath of Sight
Section 5: Achieve a Sense of Balance
- Visual Mass
- Left/Right Balance
- Top/Bottom Balance
- Shapes
- Busy Space, Empty Space
- Figure/Ground Relationship
- Restful Balance
- Energetic Balance
- Symmetry
- Counterpoint
Sections
Lessons
Videos
here’s how to get it
Bring inherent attraction to your photos!
Course Only
Take the Course without being a Lenspiration Member- Forever access to the entire Mastering Composition Course: 20 video lessons with assignments, quizzes, and access to the Lenspiration Forums.
100% Off!
Take the Course as a Lenspiration Member- Access to the entire Mastering Composition Course: 20 video lessons with assignments, quizzes, and access to the Lenspiration Forums.
- Lenspiration Members have free access for as long as their subscription is active.
This Course is Part of Lenspiration’s Photography Program
The three phases of the Lenspiration Photography Program are designed to help you systematically learn photography from a beginner to advanced level. They are designed to be used as part of a high school elective but can be utilized by any age. Follow the recommended schedule in each workbook or take it at your own pace.
Phase I
Walk through the Foundations of Photography course and get to know your camera through supplemental resources! Plus, join monthly live Photo Coaching Webinars and get hands-on experience with real-life Photo Assignments.
Phase II
Through training articles, videos and the Explore with Your Camera video series, you’ll learn how to push your camera to its limits and explore special effects like silky water, bokeh, sunburst and light trails. Continue joining monthly live Photo Coaching Webinars and participating in Photo Assignments.
Phase III
Gain hands-on experience in a variety of photography genres, step into advanced photography through the Mastering Composition course, learn the Secrets of Photo Editing, and streamline your post-processing workflows through the How to Share Your Photos With the World course.
Join the Lenspiration Membership to pay per month for unlimited access to all the training.