‘Most people don’t really think about composition – they tend to see something they like and grab it. If you watch a scene unfolding in front of you – as I did at this fountain in Moscow – then you can come up with something really special. It’s about waiting until things make sense in the frame, rather than just taking a shot and moving on.’ Photograph: Felix Clay
‘This was taken in the midsummer evening sun on an island north of Stockholm. I caught five or six frames of these kids fishing. Though it’s very out of focus, this is the best of those images. I actually quite like the fact the image is so soft: the light looks like moonlight and you can really feel the water.’ Photograph: Jenny Zarins
Don’t be afraid to coax kids into setting up an image. This lady was quietly reading in a playground in Kensington Gardens. The little girl behind her was asked if she would like to be in the photo. She started jumping from one platform to another. The collision of the lady’s quiet world with the girl’s mischievous one is what makes this image.’ Photograph: Jill Mead/Alamy
‘By keeping your distance you can put the action of a scene within a specific context. This picture of my wife and baby was shot into the sunshine, which if you get your exposures right, creates a very different sort of picture. The world doesn’t necessarily look like this, but photography has a great ability to picture things in a way we don’t always see them.’ Photograph: Mark Power
‘You can see how the swimmers are struggling to decide whether to go in the sea on this cold and rainy day at Brighton. The composition works because the pier is bisecting the picture. It’s a less obvious angle, but it’s always advisable to go for the less obvious take. Don’t be afraid of bad weather, this shot works better for it.’ Photograph: Martin Parr/Magnum Photos
