Creating space for your subject to explore

In the real world space goes on forever. In a photograph - not so much! Because of this the way we frame our subject becomes very important.

One tip to enhance your photography is to give your subject space in the photo to look. The easiest way to do this is to frame your subject on the opposite side of the photo to where they are looking. This opens up the picture and adds some realistic context. The reverse of this situation creates a cramped and unnatural compositions. Having your subject in the centre tends to cause a weak composition in the vast majority of situation.

Take a look at the below example
 

We have the same subject in the same pose but framed in 3 different ways.

1. This is the worst composition. The subject looks cramped.
2. This is a fairly bland and non-offensive composition. The subject is in the centre of the frame.
3. This is the strongest composition. The subject both appears to be looking into the world of the photo and gives the viewer the illusion that should the subject so desire, he could move around the frame which is the lens by which we view his world.

The easiest way to do this is to frame your subject on the opposite side of the photo to where they are looking.

As always, this is a safe rule of thumb to get you by. There are many fine examples where this is not followed and an amazing shot results.