Well, it is a little complicated. Or it might seem so. We are talking talk about the feared Rule of the Third (also described as the Golden Section). But do not worry. It is not as complicated as many people thinks. If you are able to divide a square in nine equal parts, you will be safe.
Before you do anything else, try to turn on your TV and find a news channel. Wait until you see the newsreader. Where is he sitting? In the middle of the picture? No, he is sitting either in the left or the right third. And that is the Rule of the Third.
The Rule of the Third is not a new invention. Many years ago painters found out, that their paintings would be more balanced, if the main subject was placed one third or two thirds from the left and/or the bottom.
Actually the entirely right place is not in the third part of the picture. There is a complicated mathematically rule to describe the Golden Section. But who cares. As long as the subject is placed about one third, if is fine enough. So if the viewer of your photos is sitting with a ruler, you should try showing them to others than mathematicians.
So learn from the painters and place your subject in the third parts of the photography. It can be either vertically or horizontal; or both.
It is really important to use the Rule of the Third when photographing the horizon. In many photos the horizon is placed in the middle of the picture. That gives an unbalanced photo, because it is divided into two parts.
Instead look at the frame. What is most interesting; the sky or the ground? If there are beautiful clouds in the sky, then this part should fill up two thirds of the picture. Are the subjects on the ground more interesting they should fill up the largest part.
Some cameras cannot figure out the make the subject sharp, if it is not in the middle. If that is the case, you should just place the subject in the middle of the frame, only press down the release half and the turn the camera subsequently. This way the camera knows that your subject is.
It is okay to break the Rule of the Thirds (like all other photographic rules). But you shall know why you are doing it and therefore only do it on purpose.
Before you do anything else, try to turn on your TV and find a news channel. Wait until you see the newsreader. Where is he sitting? In the middle of the picture? No, he is sitting either in the left or the right third. And that is the Rule of the Third.
The Rule of the Third is not a new invention. Many years ago painters found out, that their paintings would be more balanced, if the main subject was placed one third or two thirds from the left and/or the bottom.
Actually the entirely right place is not in the third part of the picture. There is a complicated mathematically rule to describe the Golden Section. But who cares. As long as the subject is placed about one third, if is fine enough. So if the viewer of your photos is sitting with a ruler, you should try showing them to others than mathematicians.
So learn from the painters and place your subject in the third parts of the photography. It can be either vertically or horizontal; or both.
It is really important to use the Rule of the Third when photographing the horizon. In many photos the horizon is placed in the middle of the picture. That gives an unbalanced photo, because it is divided into two parts.
Instead look at the frame. What is most interesting; the sky or the ground? If there are beautiful clouds in the sky, then this part should fill up two thirds of the picture. Are the subjects on the ground more interesting they should fill up the largest part.
Some cameras cannot figure out the make the subject sharp, if it is not in the middle. If that is the case, you should just place the subject in the middle of the frame, only press down the release half and the turn the camera subsequently. This way the camera knows that your subject is.
It is okay to break the Rule of the Thirds (like all other photographic rules). But you shall know why you are doing it and therefore only do it on purpose.
About the Author:
Morten Elm is the editor of Foto Fan. Here you can read about digital foto. You can also find information about subjects like kamera.
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