If you divide your picture into a tic-tac-toe board, your subject should not be located in the center square

A repeating pattern works well to emphasize your subject.

A little bit of variance (changing it up) within the repetition is even better.

Photos should have a strong, dominant focal point and/or center of interest.

Keep your background simple to avoid distractions.

Use natural elements to create a frame or border around the subject of the photo, so your audience knows exactly what your focus is.

Lines in a photo direct a viewer’s focus to the photo’s subject.

When a photographer narrows a picture’s depth of field so that only part of the picture is in focus, it draws attention to that particular area. 

(Combine this with rule of thirds to create an awesome photo!)

This error occurs when two objects in a photo overlap strangely and therefore appear to be connected.

This error occurs when objects intrude onto the edge of photograph unintentionally, which causes a distraction to the main subject.

Bright spots are unintentionally bright or washed out areas of a photograph. 

Holes are unintentionally dark areas of a photograph.

This error is exactly what it sounds like. When a photo cuts off small amounts of someone’s body, it looks unintentional or awkward or unnatural.

This error occurs when a subject is facing the edge of the photo rather than the middle of the photo. There isn’t “room” for the subject to look or move.