I do want to make it clear that the success of the picture does not depend entirely upon the beauty of the subject, but mainly upon the manner in whi… - Arthur Hammond

The emotions suggested by facts, not the facts themselves, are what concern the picture maker. This is where he is differentiated from those who seek to make only records and who are concerned only with facts.

The laws of principality and unity, harmony and balance, must always be observed. The picture should tell one story, and only one.

The very word composition, defined as the "the act of composing; putting together; arranging in proper order," implies that the picture-maker must do something besides setting up his camera and letting it photograph just what happens before it.