The Rule of the Third (also called the Golden Section) might seem a little complicated: But actually it is not as complicated as you probably think. If you are able to divide a square in nine equally sized parts, you will be able to use the Rule of the Third.
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 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 when you are photographing, try to place your subjects in the third parts of the picture; if possible both vertically and horizontal.
The Rule of the Third is especially important, when you are photographing the horizon. A classic mistake is to place it in the middle of the photo. But as you have learned, it will divide the photo in two parts. The result is an unbalanced photo.
So what is the most interesting part; the above the horizon or the one below? Is the sky full of beautiful clouds or is it gray and boring? Place the most interesting part of the subject according to the Rule of the Third.
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.
Feel free to break the Rule of the Thirds now that you know about it. There could be many reasons to do it by purpose. - 30452
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 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 when you are photographing, try to place your subjects in the third parts of the picture; if possible both vertically and horizontal.
The Rule of the Third is especially important, when you are photographing the horizon. A classic mistake is to place it in the middle of the photo. But as you have learned, it will divide the photo in two parts. The result is an unbalanced photo.
So what is the most interesting part; the above the horizon or the one below? Is the sky full of beautiful clouds or is it gray and boring? Place the most interesting part of the subject according to the Rule of the Third.
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.
Feel free to break the Rule of the Thirds now that you know about it. There could be many reasons to do it by purpose. - 30452
About the Author:
Morten Elm is the editor of Foto Fan. Here you can read about digitale billeder. You can also find information about subjects like digital kamera.
