Photojournalist Steve McCurry, who is most famous for his piercing portrait of the Afghan Girl, featured on the cover of the June 1985 issue of National Geographic Magazine, is a master at capturing a story in a single photograph. Using his body of work for reference, the Cooperative of Photography has created a simple how-to video to teach budding and expert photographers alike to compose an image as McCurry does. The video takes viewers on a journey from the Rule of Thirds and framing, through pattern-spotting and more.
Here are the nine composition tips they gathered from studying McCurry’s works:
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1. Rule of Thirds
Place points of interest on the intersections and important elements along the lines.![](https://www.vice.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/1486741625493-alongthelines.png)
2. Leading Lines
Use natural lines to lead eyes into the picture.![](https://www.vice.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/5046211ca703183189b7d88532a530ce.png)
3. Diagonals
Diagonal lines create great movement.![](https://www.vice.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/2ec8cd0e35d60bbee78b75fbbc194bab.png)
4. Framing
Use natural frames like windows and doors.![](https://www.vice.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/e248f94ff0c468c86d76ce66554abc43.png)
5. Figure to Ground
Find a contrast between subject and background.![](https://www.vice.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/a0502408dbc501a3e642c37037b3a138.png)
6. Fill the Frame
Get close to your subjects.![](https://www.vice.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/7a4dc13e6bb1a20e7f70ada9f5a49799.png)
7. Center Dominant Eye
Place the dominant eye in the center of the photo.![](https://www.vice.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/65ff26e70819ce80e00f6eee5595fba5.png)
8. Patterns and Repetition
Patterns are aesthetically pleasing. But the best is when the pattern is interrupted.![](https://www.vice.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/3ac6d33a479d0ce060a46a34c7c1210b.png)
9. Symmetry
Symmetry is pleasing to the eye.Visit the Cooperative of Photography website for more skill-sharpening tutorials.
If you also have an awesome project to share, email us: editor@thecreatorsproject.com
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