With this diagram in mind, the rule of thirds helps to identify four important parts of the image you should consider placing points of interest in as you frame your photograph. It also gives you four ‘lines’ that are also useful positions for elements within your photo.
If you place points of interest at the intersections or along the lines, your photo will be more balanced and will enable a viewer of the image to interact with it more naturally. Studies have shown that when viewing images people’s eyes usually go to one of the intersection points most naturally rather than the center of the shot – using the rule of thirds works with this natural way of viewing an image rather than working against it.
In learning how to use the rule of thirds the most important questions to be asking of yourself are:
What are the points of interest in this shot?
Where am I intentionally placing them?
Lastly – keep the rule of thirds in mind as you edit your photos later on. Post production editing tools today have good tools for cropping and reframing images so that they fit within the rules. Experiment with some of your old shots to see what impact it might have on your photos.
Here's a photo I took (not using the rule of thirds) and cropped it afterwards.
1 comments:
Hello there *kc,
I agree with your points above, IF the picture is "portrait" version. However, I suspect in "Landscape" version, there is less need for this.
Indeed, had the heart cactus above been made in Landscape, it would likely have had even more hearts or figure resemblances too. Dunno.
[I used to live in Phoenix, and went to the Grand Canyon on weekends year round. Sedona was always a stop, going up through Flagstaff, or upon return Sunday afternoons to Phoenix, and sunshine,... instead of snow....left behind in the mountains.]
We have several Photography Bloggers locally on Erie Blogs. I most appreciated "Ahead of my Ability", but Amy moved to the other side of PA and is not listed here anymore. Readers "learned" photography with her as she explored our region. Pure delight!
Current photographers on Erie Blogs rarely merit commentary (exception, pics on amelia grazia).
Her knowledge of "design" seems complementary with photography.
I find the major problem with local photography blogs to be "FOCUS" . In an attempt to concentrate on one aspect of the photo, the rest is a blur to the viewer, and not worth a glance. I hope this trend dies quickly. It is especially tasteless on black-and-white mode.....blending into a dull gray (grey??).
Next worse aspect is "Facial". OMG!
Wrong expression!
TOO FAR away, not closeup,... too often! Especially by the "pro's".
Out of focus!
Back of the head by others in the shot!
The list goes on and on.
There seems to be a trend at weddings to put one-time-use cameras on tables at wedding receptions.
Anyone can take candids of anyone at the event.
Few if any have photography skills, (professional).
I have seen more than one wedding album composed entirely of these shots, and the pro shots ditched, not due to price, but due to quality.
They are rigid and routine, and do not capture spontaneous moments.
Perhaps your column here could be sent to wedding programmers, to copy in small format and place on tables with one-time-use cameras.
(NOT TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER!)
It is a quick read, and may make conversation, as well as candids BOTH improved.
Nice topic...as usual by you!
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