Top Composition Techniques by Americo Migliore Jr. for Perfect Shots

Americo Migliore Jr., a talented photographer based in New York, has gained recognition for his remarkable ability to tell compelling stories through the lens. His work combines technical precision with raw emotion, and much of that success comes down to how he composes each image. In this article, Americo shares his top composition techniques that will help photographers of all levels capture truly perfect shots.

Whether you're just starting your journey in photography or refining your professional portfolio, these techniques—rooted in Americo’s personal experience across New York’s diverse urban landscapes—will inspire you to see and shoot the world differently.

1. Mastering the Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is perhaps the most well-known composition technique, and for good reason. This rule involves dividing your frame into a grid of nine equal sections using two horizontal and two vertical lines. The idea is to place key elements of your photo along these lines or at their intersections.

Americo Migliore Jr. often applies this principle while capturing fast-moving scenes in New York. For example, when photographing a street musician or skateboarder, he positions them slightly off-center—at one of the intersection points—to create dynamic tension and visual flow.

This technique helps to avoid dull, flat compositions and instead creates a more engaging, story-driven frame.

Tip from Americo: Use your camera’s grid feature to practice placing subjects strategically. Over time, you’ll train your eyes to see the grid even when it’s not on screen.

2. Using Leading Lines to Guide the Viewer’s Eye

Leading lines are one of Americo’s favorite tools for composition. These lines guide the viewer's eyes through the photo and toward the subject. They can be anything—train tracks, fences, shadows, staircases, or even lines painted on the road.

In New York, Americo finds no shortage of these elements. He often uses subway corridors, scaffolding edges, or even food truck lines to direct attention. These lines add depth and movement, giving your photo a natural pathway that tells a visual story.

Why It Works: Our eyes are naturally drawn to lines. When they lead to your subject, it subtly tells the viewer what to focus on without overtly shouting for attention.

3. Framing Within the Frame

Framing is another powerful technique that Americo uses to emphasize his subjects and add layers to his photos. It involves using elements within the scene—like windows, doorways, tree branches, or even people’s arms—to form a natural frame around your main subject.

This composition method not only highlights the subject but also gives the viewer a sense of place. It brings a “peeking in” sensation that adds intimacy to the image.

In one of his most iconic New York shots, Americo captured a couple sitting inside a coffee shop, framed perfectly by the shop’s foggy glass and neon signage. The external frame brought a sense of story, mystery, and warmth to the photo.

Pro Tip: Always look around for opportunities to use the environment to enclose your subject. Even the simplest elements can provide powerful framing.

4. Incorporating Symmetry and Patterns

Symmetry and patterns can make a photograph visually striking and pleasing. When used correctly, they create a sense of harmony and balance. Americo often captures symmetrical shots of city architecture, tunnels, bridges, and even reflections in puddles.

Patterns—such as tiled floors, windows on a building, or rows of parked bikes—also offer strong visual appeal. The human eye loves repetition. Breaking that pattern intentionally (like having one person walk through an otherwise empty frame) adds an even stronger focal point.

How Americo Does It: He often seeks high vantage points or straight-on perspectives to get clean symmetrical shots, especially in places like the Brooklyn Bridge or the Oculus at the World Trade Center.

5. Using Negative Space for Emphasis

Negative space refers to the empty areas surrounding your subject. Far from being wasted space, it can draw more attention to the subject and evoke strong emotional responses like solitude, peace, or focus.

Americo uses negative space effectively in minimalist street compositions. For example, photographing a person walking across an empty intersection in New York early in the morning highlights both the person and the vastness of the city around them.

This technique simplifies the composition and allows the viewer to rest their eyes on a single point without distraction.

Creative Idea: Try shooting against large blank walls, open skies, or empty streets to bring your subject into stark focus.

6. Depth Through Foreground, Middle Ground, and Background

Creating depth makes your photo feel three-dimensional, almost like stepping into the scene. Americo achieves this by layering his compositions—with something in the foreground, something in the middle, and something in the background.

In busy environments like New York City, Americo uses elements such as people in motion, buildings, and lights at different distances to build dimension. For instance, a flower vendor in the foreground, a pedestrian mid-frame, and a building backdrop combine to create a rich, layered story.

This method pulls the viewer into the photo and keeps them engaged longer as their eyes travel through the various layers.

Gear Note: Using a wide aperture like f/2.8 can help separate the layers through depth of field, while a smaller aperture like f/8 keeps more in focus.

Conclusion: Composition is the Heart of Storytelling

Composition is more than just aligning objects in a frame—it's the visual language that tells a story. Americo Migliore Jr., who proudly resides in New York, has built a unique style by applying these techniques to real-world scenes full of life, emotion, and energy.

What makes his work stand out isn’t just technical skill—it’s the emotion and intent behind every shot. By using the rule of thirds, leading lines, negative space, and layering, Americo transforms everyday scenes into captivating visual narratives.

Whether you're capturing the neon buzz of Times Square or the quiet of Central Park at dawn, applying these tried-and-tested composition techniques will help you shoot images that not only look great—but feel alive.