Composition

I believe that a photographer should try and relate the story of the place, item, animal etc. to the viewer. Although it is easy now to crop and change an image via software, I am still a great believer in trying to taking the best possible shot that you can; you might wish to show it in a print or on screen in its original unadulterated state.Tthat's not to say do not use the wonderful variety of software available if that is what you want - but remember almost all of the recognised great photographic images were taken prior to digital technology and not even using developing techniques in the darkroom. 

This is why we use SLR and DSLR cameras; so as to utilize the ability to see the exact image to be taken through the view finder. Take time to visualise the image and move the camera around either by hand or on your tripod to see all the possibilities. Here I would advise taking many shots at all angles to sort out the best until you are happy with the style you will soon adopt.

I am always striving to take the ultimate shot....one that I am able to say I am totally in love with the image immediately and hope to capture it before I shrug off the mortal coils - one can but dream.........................

THE RULE OF THIRDS.

Many people recommend the rule of thirds - although it has been around since the time of the Ancient Greeks in their Architecture and then the Great Masters in their Paintings it was then adopted by the founding fathers of Photography in the late eighteen hundreds. It is only a guide and not an absolute but most begineers find it a great help in composing an image.

here is an example of the grid used

    

It is said that by using these pathways for laying out your composition, by placing obvious points of interest upon these lines it is more visually pleasing, be it a person - or in this case a butterfly - along a vertical or perhaps a horizon line along a horizontal.

THE WAY WE READ

In the West we read a page of text from left to right unlike in the East were it is right to left - as such we also observe an image similarly from left to right so when leading the eye it is mostly best done from the left.

two identical shots one reversed which do you find preferable...........?

HOWEVER THESE ARE ONLY GUIDELINES  and as such they can be bent or ignored as your  image story dictates.