"The difference between a snapshot and an artistic photograph is simply a matter of composition. By changing the focal length, angle and position of the camera, the relative positions and sizes of objects in the frame can be changed to produce a more visually pleasing effect. Learning to do this is mostly a matter of practice and experimentation, but there are a number of tips and techniques that can help you to take better pictures. The first and most important is to take your time. Look at the scene in the viewfinder or on your monitor and try to see it not as a view but as a finished print. Ask yourself if there’s any way that it can be improved by maybe zooming in a little, or by moving the camera. A tripod is a very useful tool for this, since it lets you view a completely static image without having to hold the camera steady. Composition is a major subject, and there are many examples of different techniques for different situations."This particular article mainly talks about the law of thirds, but spends a lot of time talking about the composition of photos and how to pick subject material and the appropriate angle, focus and lighting as well. This is a good article with some nice sample pictures and I look forward to the subsequent articles in this series.