Rule of Thirds: What Is It All About?
In order to fully grasp the concept behind the Rule of Thirds let us first define what exactly “composition” is all about. Composition refers to the arrangement or placement of elements within an image.
This technique can be used with any type of composition: portrait, landscapes, architecture, etc. It will help you create interesting images that stand out from others.
The concept behind this technique is that our eyes naturally scan images from top to bottom and left to right. By placing your main focus on either side of the picture’s center point, you can create more interest for viewers because they will be looking at something different than what their eyes would normally look at first. This also helps keep things interesting visually as well.
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The Rule of Thirds: What Is It In Photography and How to Apply It
In photography, there are many different rules you can follow to create great photos. One such rule is called the ‘Rule of Thirds’.
This method was first used by William Eggleston back in the 1970s. He found that his pictures were much better when he divided them into 3 horizontal and vertical segments rather than just taking a single shot from any angle. It also helps keep things balanced within the frame.
The idea behind this rule is simple – divide an image into nine equal parts horizontally and vertically using two imaginary lines running through each corner of the frame.
These lines will form three horizontal and vertical divisions within the picture. You should then place important elements of interest at these intersections.
Rule of Thirds Grid
For example, if you have a subject on one side of the photo, placing them near the intersection between the third line and the top edge would be ideal as they appear more prominent than other areas of the photograph.
When Not to Use the Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds can actually help you create more dynamic compositions by allowing for greater freedom within the frame. You don’t have to place everything perfectly on the grid; instead, you should use the guidelines as an inspiration rather than a strict guideline.
You can use this technique for any subject or scene but if you want something more unique, then don’t rely on the rule of thirds as much. Instead, try using other compositional techniques such as leading lines, negative space, etc.
For instance, if there is something interesting happening near one corner or edge of the image, then why would you want to exclude it? If you were shooting architecture, perhaps you could include a building that was partially hidden behind another structure.
Or maybe you wanted to show how much space there is between two buildings. In these cases, placing things exactly where they fall under the rule of thirds may make them look too rigid and boring.
Instead, try using the rule of thirds as a guide but allow yourself flexibility so that you can express your creativity through your images.
If you find yourself struggling to come up with ideas about how to break free from the confines of the rule of thirds, here are three ways to get creative:
- Place your subject dead center
- Place you subject all the way to the edge
- Emphasize symmetry
Play with other composition techniques without worrying about following any specific rules.
Rule of Thirds in Post-Processing Software
While it’s always best to get this right in-camera, that doesn’t always happen. But, don’t worry all is not lost.
If you’ve taken a photo and the composition isn’t quite working out, you can always try to adjust the crop and apply the rule of thirds in post-processing software such as Lightroom and Photoshop .
In addition, there are many plugins available online that allow you to create grids with different rules. Some even let you adjust the size of the squares.
The Learning Process
At first, composition rules might confuse you and you may feel a bit overwhelmed. The key to learning composition is to keep practicing and experiment with different techniques.
If you need more help with composition, check out this course taught by Ben Long: Photography Foundations: Composition.
He will show how to apply these principles to create compelling compositions for any type of photography: portraits, landscapes, architecture, still life, food, fashion, street scenes, macro shots, etc. You’ll learn about what works best when composing photos, including where to place people within a frame, which objects are most effective at drawing attention, and why it is important to avoid placing too much emphasis on one element over another.
Conclusion
Learn the rule of thirds, especially if you are just beginning to learn about composition in photography. Once you become more advanced, don’t be afraid to start breaking the rules by using other composition techniques.
The rule of thirds will still work just fine in most cases. However, if there’s nothing special going on, why bother trying to force something into place? It may look good but it won’t mean anything unless it makes sense within the context of what you’re doing.
Go ahead… break a few rules!
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