Composition

Composition is an organic part of the subject matter of any pictorial medium, as closely knit into the picture as veins and muscles are woven into the fabric of the human body. Take away subject matter and composition becomes meaningless, a tour de force of technical virtuosity. Take away composition and the most excellent subject matter is robbed of a part of its ultimate significance.

Without composition a picture lacks eloquence, as an orator fails to move his audience if he cannot speak clearly and coherently [emphasis original].

Graphic Graflex Photography: The Master Book for the Larger Camera, eighth edition 1948, p. 156