rule of 3rds

[timned88]

someone mentioned the rule of 3rds in a previous post. in case some of you don't know what that refers to, here is a brief tutorial.

rule of thirds refers to dividing up the viewfinder or viewscreen into three sections. you would place an imaginary line at about the "1/3 and 2/3" section of the frame and use that to place your point of interest. (refer to the image below). the four spots where the invisible lines intersect would be the "power spots" where you would want to place the subject of most interest (person's head, etc.) you could also use the "thirds" line to set your horizon in a landscape shot or similar object in a vertical shot. for a close-up of a person, you could set their eyes on one of the power spots.

remember, this is just a rough guide to composition. there are times to break this rule. this is not a catch-all rule that you can use in every situation but it makes a good starting point for most images.

 

[jann1033]

funny i was just telling my hubby about this since he wanted to buy a fancy smancy 19.95 "artist's graph" that was a clear plastic film with the same lines drawn on it to help with "composition"...and it wasn't even for sale on ebay or one of those "made for tv" junk channels

so good illustration and you just saved a bunch of people $19.95

 

[timned88]

send checks or money orders to me.................

 

[manning]

someone mentioned the rule of 3rds in a previous post. in case some of you don't know what that refers to, here is a brief tutorial.

rule of thirds refers to dividing up the viewfinder or viewscreen into three sections. you would place an imaginary line at about the "1/3 and 2/3" section of the frame and use that to place your point of interest. (refer to the image below). the four spots where the invisible lines intersect would be the "power spots" where you would want to place the subject of most interest (person's head, etc.) you could also use the "thirds" line to set your horizon in a landscape shot or similar object in a vertical shot. for a close-up of a person, you could set their eyes on one of the power spots.

remember, this is just a rough guide to composition. there are times to break this rule. this is not a catch-all rule that you can use in every situation but it makes a good starting point for most images.

Also if the subject is a person or animal, have them looking into the picture, not out. For example if they are looking left you want to place them on the right two dots.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Also if the subject is a person or animal, have them looking into the picture, not out. For example if they are looking left you want to place them on the right two dots.

Similarly with action, leave room in the direction of the action for your imagination to work with.

Mikeeee

 

[handicap18]

Came across this article from one of the UK Photo mag's. (Digital Camera to be specific). Some very good examples on the landscape front.

http://www.dcmag.co.uk/The_rule_of_thirds.YRYpfcRo39cnPg.html

 

[SplshMtn99]

Cool!!! My camera (Canon S3 IS) has those lines built-in...as I'm sure others probably might. Not sure if its a feature you can turn on or off, but they do show up in the viewfinder.

Very helpful info.

 

[Groucho]

I think a lot of "big zoom" cameras with electronic viewfinders offer a few different onscreen guidelines, often including these "thirds" lines. I know my Minolta Z5 did.

If you really want to be fancy, you can buy custom focusing screens for a variety of DSLRs, and choose your own set of grid lines to be etched on to it. I'd like to change my focus screen just to add the split prism... fortunately there are cheaper alternatives to these custom-made ones.