What is the Rule of Thirds?
The basic principle behind the rule of thirds is to imagine breaking an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so that you have 9 parts. As follows.
As you’re taking an image you would have done this in your mind through your viewfinder or in the LCD display that you use to frame your shot.
With this grid in mind the ‘rule of thirds’ now identifies four important parts of the image that you should consider placing points of interest in as you frame your image.
Not only this – but it also gives you four ‘lines’ that are also useful positions for elements in your photo.
The theory is that if you place points of interest in the intersections or along the lines that your photo becomes more balanced and will enable a viewer of the image to interact with it more naturally. Studies have shown that when viewing images that people’s eyes usually go to one of the intersection points most naturally rather than the center of the shot – using the rule of thirds works with this natural way of viewing an image rather than working against it.
My favorite subject, Molly! This power pack of 16 lbs of Aussie is a full grown dog. I have focused upon her unique eye and placed it in the upper left of the rule of thirds in the top photo. I used Windows Photo Gallery and used the color, shadow, contrast, and brightness controls to work with her coat colors. In the photo on the bottom, I placed her in profile and worked to get both of her eyes in the sweet spots of the upper cross-hairs of the rule of thirds. I used the same software and controls in the bottom photo.
Your Assignment:
Find a photo subject (this could be a person, animal, flower, tree, insect, etc.) and take at least 20 photos. Then, crop your photos to place your subject or a portion of your subject in the photo using the rule of thirds. Post your photos to your blogger site and share your web address in the chat box so we can all see your work!
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