Exercises to improve composition skills?

What kind of exercises have helped you to improve your composition skills?

I've browsed many web articles and forums but so far I have only found pretty simple texts that describe rule-of-thirds etc. but nothing concrete how to become a better photographer in this sense.

Only real idea I've gotten so far is to create own folders for all the different basic compositions listed in the excellent Photographer's Eye by Michael Freeman and then try to fill those folders with new photos.

I'm aware of the composition link collection http://photoinf.com. I'm not interested to get more long lists of links. I'm interested in something that you have found useful. Something that involves a lot of shooting and not so much reading (anymore).

I like Bryan Petersen's book, Learning to See Creatively.

I second Mark_Cohran's suggestion.
Good book, and used copies are available for cheap in half.com or amazon.com

Mark_Cohran wrote in post #6598318
I like Bryan Petersen's book, Learning to See Creatively.

I read that about a year ago and I liked it also but if I remember correctly it didn't contain (that many) concrete exercises.

I'm looking for compositional exercises that make me use a camera because at the moment I'm a lot better photographer in theory than in practice And I've read too much anyway.

But thanks anyway, that is a book worth mentioning.

I think after reading the basic theories on composition I think you have to shoot and then review the shots in a critical manner, then go back and make adjustments to improve.

Composing a shot is a procedural knowledge so after reading up on the fundamentals, you have to put the theories into practice, then get feedback and the readjust.

Shoot a lot I say.

Freeman Patersons - photography and the art of seeing has a section called "learning to observe" and has a few exercises listed. The exercises look good/ practical, but i admit, i've been too lazy to try them

ajayclicks wrote in post #6598659
Freeman Patersons - photography and the art of seeing has a section called "learning to observe" and has a few exercises listed.

Thanks, I had a look at the table of contents at Amazon and it looked promising. But it would still be beneficial if someone would have personally tried to exercises.

Tee Why wrote in post #6598616
Composing a shot is a procedural knowledge so after reading up on the fundamentals, you have to put the theories into practice, then get feedback and the readjust.

In order to force me to take photos I started a daily photo blog. It really makes me shoot but at times I wish I would shoot a little less and think a little more. Exercises made by experienced people would help me in the thinking department.

There must be people who have studied photography in this forum? I really hope you just didn't read about photography but your teachers gave you composition exercises where you needed to use your knowledge and skills.

ppusa wrote in post #6598916
Thanks, I had a look at the table of contents at Amazon and it looked promising. But it would still be beneficial if someone would have personally tried to exercises.


In order to force me to take photos I started a daily photo blog. It really makes me shoot but at times I wish I would shoot a little less and think a little more. Exercises made by experienced people would help me in the thinking department.

There must be people who have studied photography in this forum? I really hope you just didn't read about photography but your teachers gave you composition exercises where you needed to use your knowledge and skills.

I've taken a number of photographic courses and seminars over the years, but the exercises we did were primarily to go out and correctly utilize, either singularly or in combination the various composition elements such as:

1. Rule of Thirds
2. S curves
3. Diagonal and leading lines
4. Foreground and background framing
5. Repetitive elements

and so forth and so on. One exercise I always enjoyed, and still do when I take walks, is to find the letters of the alphabet in the scenery around me (not in signs or literal letters) such as the shape of a tree branch, the intersection of structural lines, the curve of a stream, etc.