There are no absolute laws of composition, only expressive possibilities. And that makes composition a messy art. Not to mention that our vision and our sensibilities are constantly changing, along with the way we see the world. So our sense of what makes a good composition is constantly changing as well.

Sure, there are some well-known tactics like the Rule of Thirds and Leading Lines, but they aren’t applicable to every situation. So how do you know when to use them, when to break them, and when to ignore them?

And why does composition seem to contradict itself so often? Why does it make sense to include lots of sky in one photo, yet cut the sky almost completely out of another? Or why does a tree on the left sometimes perfectly balance a mountain on the right, while other times it overshadows it completely?

In 2024 when I was out in the field on a backpacking trip in the High Sierra, these types questions got me thinking: because composition feels so abstract, how exactly do I find and create compositions that are impactful and harmonious? When I show up to a place that I’ve never been before, what steps do I take to ensure that I come away with photos that I’m pleased with, that are aesthetic, and that represent my experience in that place?

Pondering this made me realize that every time I go out to shoot, I actually do follow a process. Rather than thinking in terms of tactics, I employ an overall strategy for finding compositions. So now, in this course, I present to you my 4-part system for finding and creating powerful landscape photography compositions. It’s packed full of useful strategies and ideas to help you compose amazing photos. Enjoy.

– Joshua Cripps