Each of the mentioned aspects deserves consideration, and not every breathtaking image can be entirely explained by just following a checklist, marking the things that were done correctly with a green pen and using a red pen for the failures spotted. Yet, what most humans perceive as beautiful and aesthetically pleasing visually can surprisingly often be explained with math.

Yes, math.

Master the light and you will master photography. Indeed, “drawing with light” is the meaning of the Greek origin of the word “photography.”

However, if we want to work creatively with light, we need to think about shadows as well. The good news is that we do not need to start from scratch. The old masters of art and painting developed specific lighting techniques hundreds of years before the first camera was even invented.

What does aspect ratio actually mean?

Aspect ratio describes the relationship between the width and height of an image. The width always comes first; therefore, aspect ratios are written in a width:height figure. A 30cm (width) x 20cm (height) image has an aspect ratio of 3:2. In simple words, aspect ratios are about image proportions. The right proportion can give the final kick to an image.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the mysterious and challenging world of abstract photography. Yes, it works underwater, too.

Many very clever people have worked hard to formulate a one-size-fits-all definition of abstract photography. Hence, several slightly different definitions do exist—none of them wrong, but also, none of them covers it all.

Without being too scientific, photographer and professor of psychology John Suler nailed it down to a few understandable words:

The requirements of scuba diving itself, combined with the basics of underwater photography (we all, of course, want to shoot really cool images), can fill our heads easily and make it difficult to remember the right thing at the right moment.

However, there is the dilemma. What does one do after everything within reach has already been photographed? That’s the point we’ve reached now. Nowadays, many keen underwater shooters equip themselves with high-end photo gear and invest time and money in books, classes and private workshops, not to to mention pricey trips to exotic dive locations to shoot that next awesome subject. The average diver will happily use his or her BCD for three to five years, but an underwater photographer does not mind upgrading camera equipment every two years.

The path to a better image is always a path that comes with a deeper understanding about which elements of an image are in charge of awakening the attention of the viewer. The goal is to create images that please you and your audience alike. This does not always require the creation of a masterpiece of art, as the interpretation of “what is art” is quite a controversial topic anyway.

Composition doesn’t just happen

Beginning photographers often see a subject they like and just start shooting. While it is often easier just to be a shutterbug, taking the time to think about how the subject would look best in the frame and within its environment can dramatically increase the impact of the image.