Composition for the Amateur

Perspective, the rule of 2/3, color and of course not cutting peoples' heads off in a shot are probably some good basics to bear in mind when putting together decent photos.

I've seen where some online photography instruction suggests that photographers not forget to take occasional portrait shots instead of always taking shots in landscape orientation, but it seems to me that landscape shots are more popular. But if you're putting together a photo book, some of those portrait-style shots will add interest to the layout.

When the shots are all taken and you're in the review process, sometimes a slight cropping can enhance the composition in a shot.