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.
Since the earliest days (long before the photograph) painters found out, that if you place the main subject either about one third or two thirds from the top and/or from the left side, the painting will be more balanced.
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 try to place your main subject in the third parts, when you are photographing. It can be either horizontal or vertically; or it can be both.
This is especially important when you are photographing subject that includes the horizon. A typical mistake is to place it in the middle of the picture, but the only thing that does, is to divide the photo in two; and that is not normally what you want.
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.
If you have a camera, where the subject has to be in the middle of the frame to be sharp, your must place the subject in the middle of the frame. Then you should press the releaser half down and turn your camera, so the subject is placed where you want it to be. This way the right part of the photo will be sharp.
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.
Since the earliest days (long before the photograph) painters found out, that if you place the main subject either about one third or two thirds from the top and/or from the left side, the painting will be more balanced.
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 try to place your main subject in the third parts, when you are photographing. It can be either horizontal or vertically; or it can be both.
This is especially important when you are photographing subject that includes the horizon. A typical mistake is to place it in the middle of the picture, but the only thing that does, is to divide the photo in two; and that is not normally what you want.
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.
If you have a camera, where the subject has to be in the middle of the frame to be sharp, your must place the subject in the middle of the frame. Then you should press the releaser half down and turn your camera, so the subject is placed where you want it to be. This way the right part of the photo will be sharp.
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 fotos. You can also find information about subjects like digitalkameraer.
