I don’t much about photography, but I know more than the rest of my family. So, I’m constantly irritating them by trying to explain the basic rules of composition. More simply, I’m trying to discourage them from always placing the subject in the dead centre of the frame. I explain the basic rule of dividing the frame into a grid of nine squares, and then trying to fill three (not the centre three) with the subject. I’ve been received with mixed feelings–sometimes there’s mute acceptance, other times it’s open abuse.
While looking for photos of my favourite Dublin places, I happened upon this gallery. They’re decent photos, and they generally exemplify the rule I’m trying to convey. They also demonstrate a good eye for line and movement, as each photo clearly guides your eye through the shot.
DarrenBarefoot.com 
Silly question, have you taken photos they’ve shot and cropped them and shown them the difference? A couple paper “L’s” ought to do the trick. The other thought that comes to mind is maybe they don’t care so long as it is in focus and captured the event. It’s hard to teach someone to think before acting. It’s even harder (for some) to understand there is a rule to why one picture “feels” better than another and anyone can apply the “rule”. If any of them are genuinly interested in getting the most out of their camera I’d suggest getting them to play more and not worry about the results. If they have a digital camera there is no cost to snapping off a dozen or so pictures and seeing the difference angle, light can make. A book or two on the subject will help as well.
Would have to agree with the above, photography is about capturing light, sometimes you get lucky but when taking pictures of inanimate objects there isn’t much excuse. It’s all well and good deleting shots you don’t like but it makes the photographer lazy, take every shot like it’s your only one and you won’t go far wrong, and plan ahead. IMHO
I see it as the different between photos and snapshots. The latter is simply a way of triggering the memories of the event. Art it is not.
DAAAAAARRREEEEEN why can’t we just like our photo’s and take ’em the way we wants too? Besides which I think my photo’s are lovely. 😛