Newspapers and magazines usually are designed in columns. For instance, a newspaper page might have seven columns of text. When using a design program, place your text in the columns. Photos and graphics can take up more than one column, though text will usually just take up one column, unless you are aiming to produce a stylistically different piece. Columns lend themselves to easy reading, as the reader is used to column and grid formats and knows where his eyes should move next. All columns should have the same amount of white space between them.
The goal of any newspaper or magazine is readability, and most publications follow a modular layout for their text, graphics and images. To keep a page modular, a story's graphics, text, images and captions should all fit together in one imaginary square or rectangle. That way, you do not have a stray image or text that can confuse the reader. If you cannot draw a square or rectangle around your text, you have not achieved modular design. Some publications might break from modular design for stylistic purposes, but this should be rare.
Modern publications use white space to draw a reader in. In years past, publications aimed to cram as much as they could on the page, but they know now that readers appreciate a less cluttered, clean feel. To achieve this, plan for blank space on your page. The key, though, is to make it look planned and that you are not simply putting your text and images in random space. For instance, if you are designing white space between your pictures, you should have the same amount of white space between each picture.
Every page or two-page spread should have one dominant image. This is usually a picture, but it could also be a graphic or illustration. Design the rest of the page around the one dominant image so that your reader's eyes will immediately be drawn to one thing. When you are choosing a dominant image, use your best photograph to pique the reader's curiosity.