The American photographer Edward Weston once declared: “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk. Such rules and laws are deduced from the accomplished fact; they are the products of reflection.”

It is true that instinct is a photographer's guiding force, but instinct can be trained, and a little reflection on what makes a good photograph can go a long way towards achieving a striking image. We all have our own favourite travel photographs, and even though these may be completely different for each person, they will obey certain rules.

Creating an unforgettable shot is the positioning of the subject within both the frame and general layout of the image. The photographer must be aware of what elements are within their control (elevation, point of view, distance from subject, and so on) and what is not (the amount of sea to the horizon, a dense group of trees on one side). Working within these parameters, every photographer will find a way of getting their best photograph.A post photo retouching process can also improve the work.