Almost nothing is more important than composition. No amount of manipulation of your image will help a badly composed picture.

But what is "composition".

Don't worry about the fancy terms, but basically, composition is the art of getting the final image looking right, starting from the moment you take the picture.

There are several elements:

- choose the correct subject: make sure the subject is relevant to your audience and to the message you are trying to convey

- place the subject: the "rule of thirds" means that subjects look best one third in from the side of the image or one third from top or bottom

- associate your subject: use the appropriate setting which gives "meaning" to your subject

- clear clutter: check the background for unnecessary rubbish or distractions

- watch for inanimate objects: don't have lampposts growing out of people's heads

- choose the correct lighting: no squinting or shadowy faces allowed, unless intended

- isolate your subject appropriately: use different apertures to change depth of field

- make your subject "talk": get your picture to tell a story of some sort

- use props: where necessary, consider using a complementary prop (for example, someone holding a flower, or a boy on a bike)

- use an appropriate lens: telephotos and wide angles have different fields of view

- fill the frame: where possible, make your subject fill the frame and avoid unnecessary inclusions

Composition is the backbone of good photography. Use it wisely and your images will have impact.

Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com