There are a lot of things to think about when you put your eye to the viewfinder of you camera - Shutter speed, ISO, aperture, autofocus or manual focus, single shot or burst mode, etc., etc. 

But for all the settings a photographer must get correct to create a striking image, none of them matter without the proper foundations of composition. A properly exposed but poorly composed photograph is still a poor photograph. 

I often have people ask me how they can improve their photographs and I'm always happy to help. The truth is, it doesn't matter how expensive your gear is or how technically sound you are at getting the proper settings, you simply can't create a great photograph without learning and mastering the basics of composition. 

In this short video, posted at artFido.com, photographer Steve McCurry — who, of course, created the world renowned photograph, Afghan Girl, which graced the cover of National Geographic Magazine — does a great job of just explaining and illustrating the basics of composition. So, if you're interested in improving your photographs, the three minutes you spend watching this video — and the time you spend practicing afterward — will be time well spent.