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.
Try to turn on your TV. Look for the newsreader at one of the news channels. Is he sitting in the middle of the picture? No, he is placed according to the Rule of the Third in either the left or the right 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 one third is not the absolutely correct place to place the main subject. There is a very complex mathematically rule that describes the Golden Section. But as long as you are not showing your pictures to mathematicians, it is just fine to use one third as a rule.
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.
Like all other photographic rules it is okay to break the Rule of the Thirds; as long as you do it on purpose and knows what you are doing. - 30301
Try to turn on your TV. Look for the newsreader at one of the news channels. Is he sitting in the middle of the picture? No, he is placed according to the Rule of the Third in either the left or the right 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 one third is not the absolutely correct place to place the main subject. There is a very complex mathematically rule that describes the Golden Section. But as long as you are not showing your pictures to mathematicians, it is just fine to use one third as a rule.
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.
Like all other photographic rules it is okay to break the Rule of the Thirds; as long as you do it on purpose and knows what you are doing. - 30301
About the Author:
Morten Elm is the editor of Foto Fan. Here you can read about digital fotografering. You can also find information about subjects like fotoudstyr.
