Shoot-Along Tutorial #1 - Rule of Thirds

[NostalgicDad]

One thing to note here is that the "rule of thirds" is a great compositional guide, but that it is not by any means how you have to take a photo. Many a great photo is taken with a completely centered subject. It is just that, for the most part, a photo is a bit more appealing if it is in the "thirds" rather than smack dab in the middle. I often find myself shooting dead center. That is because I am lazy. I am working on my composition skills so that I can view the photo in the center and off to one third (and possibly shoot the shot both ways). I usually like the photos cropped to the thirds but sometimes I just like them dead center. It is really just dependent on the subject. Rules are meant to be broken.

Great point!

 

[NostalgicDad]

Beautiful shot! Such detail in the moon.

Thanks for the comment. That orb is not the easiest subject to capture.

 

[LMarge]

How about the crop on this one? Is it to centered? I really liked the photo, but the noise was a bit much once I cropped it. So I played with a few filters and actions (in a very professional work flow --- how about this, no, how about this, no, what does this do ---- manner) and this is the result. I think it would make a cool scrapbook page, a little edgey looking for my very conservative daughter! --- tips and hints please!!

And dd really like this one, but wanted a blur on the people, so via Picassa, this is what she got. Lightly cropped,a color correction, and blur added. I'll take the exit sign out over the door later! Sorry to post so many of her, but she's the current willing model at the moment!!!

 

[DueyDooDah]

...Rules are meant to be broken.

I hear this alot, but actually I don't believe they are. The reasoning behind rules is to govern conduct, actions, procedures, arrangements, etc. (see dictionary.com) There is nothing in the definition of "rule" that explicitly states they are meant to be broken. In fact, as some rules eventually become law, you could be opening yourself up to legal action by providing this type of advice. Be cautious when giving written advice. 'They' could be watching.

 

[jann1033]

I hear this alot, but actually I don't believe they are. The reasoning behind rules is to govern conduct, actions, procedures, arrangements, etc. (see dictionary.com) There is nothing in the definition of "rule" that explicitly states they are meant to be broken. In fact, as some rules eventually become law, you could be opening yourself up to legal action by providing this type of advice. Be cautious when giving written advice. 'They' could be watching.

ita! that andy is such a rebel ( hehe i am totally ignoring the fact i said the same thing in one of my posts)

 

[AndrewWG]

I hear this alot, but actually I don't believe they are. The reasoning behind rules is to govern conduct, actions, procedures, arrangements, etc. (see dictionary.com) There is nothing in the definition of "rule" that explicitly states they are meant to be broken. In fact, as some rules eventually become law, you could be opening yourself up to legal action by providing this type of advice. Be cautious when giving written advice. 'They' could be watching.

Yeah, but Jann said it first!

I think that if the rule of thirds becomes the law of thirds, we are all doomed! Imagine all of the camera manufacturers changing their auto focus areas to the sides and top/bottom only? No center AF points. What a boring world that would be...

 

[LMarge]

This is one I took last year or so. As I went back looking through a lot of my photos, I found that when I was shooting macro on plants and such that I tended to use the RoT very often, but on action/candids I didn't. Hummmm... need to work on that.

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

Mark-

You must have done a great job with your first tutorial because when I watch TV I notice that almost EVERYTHING is shot in "Rule of Thirds" Even when the characters are walking they keep 2/3s of the screen in front of the character. And when they do interviews on the reality shows the characters are positioned at the correct "Rule of Thirds"

Thanks again! Looking forward to the next installment.

 

[PhotobearSam]

Here is one from our trip...I'll add more as I upload more.

 

[PhotobearSam]

 

[LMarge]

Good job Photobear Sam!! I really like the one of the horse in front of the tomb warriors!

 

[ColoBlu6]

Hi everyone, I tried all week to go take some pictures and my grandson became very ill and he was in the hospital for a few days. He is home now and still under the weather. I did take 10 pictures and after looking at them this is the only one that was close to the rule. I did crop the top because of a wire in the sky. This is the first time posting a picture.
Sorry for some reason it is telling me my posts are to low to add links. When will I be able to post pictures?

 

[Groucho]

The thing that I really don't like about the "rule of thirds" is that CURSED NAME!!! Whoever decided that it should be a "rule" should be cursed to use nothing but a disposable camera for all of time.

The eternal debate is whether or not photography counts as "art", as compared to painting, sculpting, etc. "Art" does not have a formula that you can break down, rules to follow, etc.

I'd much prefer if it was the "suggestion of thirds", or "hint of thirds", or "maybe worth trying of thirds", or best of all: "just try moving your subject off-center and see if it looks better!"

Unfortunately, nobody consulted me when they were coming up with commonly-used terminology. Tsk, tsk!

(Sorry, I just bristle at the thought that I have to compose my photos in a certain manner for them to be worthwhile.)

 

[LMarge]

from Groucho, "best of all: "just try moving your subject off-center and see if it looks better!"


This one gets my vote!!! Just remember to press the shutter and HOLD while recompossing!! I've wasted or blown so many nice shots by ever so slightly lifting my dang finger off the shutter button!!You'd think there'd be a learning curve somewhere!!

 

[PhotobearSam]

Good job Photobear Sam!! I really like the one of the horse in front of the tomb warriors!

Thank you...I am humbled by the compliment...

 

[Lost n' Translation]

Gateway to HEAVEN!!

 

[PhotobearSam]

Gateway to HEAVEN!!

I LOVE THIS ONE...

 

[jann1033]

The thing that I really don't like about the "rule of thirds" is that CURSED NAME!!! Whoever decided that it should be a "rule" should be cursed to use nothing but a disposable camera for all of time.

The eternal debate is whether or not photography counts as "art", as compared to painting, sculpting, etc. "Art" does not have a formula that you can break down, rules to follow, etc.

I'd much prefer if it was the "suggestion of thirds", or "hint of thirds", or "maybe worth trying of thirds", or best of all: "just try moving your subject off-center and see if it looks better!"

Unfortunately, nobody consulted me when they were coming up with commonly-used terminology. Tsk, tsk!

(Sorry, I just bristle at the thought that I have to compose my photos in a certain manner for them to be worthwhile.)

not to nit pick but rot is in painting as well...cheap joe's even sells little plastic rot guides for plein aire( not sure if i spelled that right my French not being usable )

but i do think it's more of a guideline and i break it all the time intentionally. in fact i double dog dare you to find one i didn't break here( except maybe diagonals) but i still like it, rebellious snit that i am!

 

[jann1033]

Hi everyone, I tried all week to go take some pictures and my grandson became very ill and he was in the hospital for a few days. He is home now and still under the weather. I did take 10 pictures and after looking at them this is the only one that was close to the rule. I did crop the top because of a wire in the sky. This is the first time posting a picture.
Sorry for some reason it is telling me my posts are to low to add links. When will I be able to post pictures?[/QUOTE ]
hope the grandson is better
you need 10 to post a photo i think

 

[Amy]

This is one I took last year or so. As I went back looking through a lot of my photos, I found that when I was shooting macro on plants and such that I tended to use the RoT very often, but on action/candids I didn't. Hummmm... need to work on that.

Marge - I LOVE this shot! I'm constantly taking flower photos (well, not so much now in the middle of winter), and I really need to work on my composition - what a neat angle for a photo! Have to file this away in my brain and hope I remember it come spring!