Project 52 - Rule of Thirds

There are rules to follow in photography just like every other craft, and the rule of thirds is one of the basics that every new photographer learns. It has to do with the composition of an image and can help draw the viewers eye to what the photographer wants them to see. The image is divided into three equal section both vertically and horizontally. The "rule" is that when placing your subject in the frame, placing them on the intersection points of these division lines has the most impact with the lines themselves coming in second. This does help new photographers to see the impact of the rule of thirds on an image, but ..... rules are made to be broken. Lets just say, if every image followed the rule of thirds, things could get boring very quickly.  

For me, the rule of thirds is not something I think about when I aim my camera. However, there are certain scenarios that I find work beautifully for this composition technique; landscape images with a person in them for instance. If the person is in the middle of the image then the image is about that person using a "look at me" frame of mind. If the person is placed using the rule of thirds, then that person now becomes part of a "story" rather than being the main character. You see the person and then you see where they are or what might be going on around them.

The rule of thirds also works nicely if the scene is quite simple. Placing the subject using the rule of thirds can be very pleasing and actually relaxing to the viewer. (Here's Hermes helping me demonstrate "relaxing.")

Then there are times when you want to emphasize something in your image without making it seem quite as intrusive (or caloric). Using the rule of thirds can make something seem a little less "over the top" than if you put it right smack in the middle of the scene... Ok, this one might be a little over the top anyway, but you get the idea. ;O)

Want to see more about this week's theme? Head over to St. Cloud, Twin Cities and central MN About A Dog Photography to continue the blog circle and have a great weekend! (I think I need a little snack.)