The easiest way to better pictures.

I don't know why this works, but it does. One of the basic rules of composition, whether it's a painting or a photograph is called the Rule of Thirds. Basically this means that any important focal points in your picture will sit best if they are one third of the way up, or across, the frame. Practically this means that a horizon, for instance, should be one third of the way up (if the sky is the more attractive part of the image) or two thirds up (if the important part of the picture is the foreground) rather than slap bang in the middle.

Often this rule can be applied both horizontally and vertically. For instance compare the two photos - different crops of the same image, which can be found on my travel photography website



where the motorbike is central to the frame. Now have a look at the full picture:-


where the bike is one third in, and one third up, the frame.

It works much better.
Try it with your holiday snaps and see if you don't think it is more restful on the eye, and also more dynamic. Or do you disagree? Comments always welcome.