Tutorial: Rule of Thirds (repost)

[JakeB.]

One of the most recognized and used rules in photography is the Rule of Thirds. When composing a photograph, we generally have something we can see through the viewfinder that we want to capture. When we first start off taking pictures, most people put their subject in the middle of the frame. It's the object of the photo and it makes sense to put it in the center. Well, that doesn't always create the best photograph. The rule of thirds is one that helps us create a better aesthetic photograph, rather than just recording an object. For landscape photography, you want to place the horizon either 1/3 mark or at the 2/3's mark in your frame. This photo shows the horizon at the 1/3 mark from the top of the frame. You generally want to place the horizon on the 1/3 mark if there isn't anything very interesting in the sky, or your primary focus in something in the foreground. If the foreground is a little bland, and there is a wonderful sunset or some interesting clouds, then place the horizon on the 2/3's mark, towards the bottom. This also works in portrait oriented landscape photos. Here, the foreground was just a muddy mess. I wanted to capture the mangrove and show the interesting sky in the background. So, the horizon is on the 2/3's mark. Also notice that the mangrove is primarily in the right third of the frame. There is a background interest on the left, bottom third mark. Pretty damn good shot, if I say so myself This rule also applies to portrait photography. Her face centered on the right 1/3 mark. Generally, you would try to put the eyes near the top1/3 mark, but if the face fills the frame from top to bottom, you're good. Both her body and her face on the left 1/3 mark. Of course, the great thing about photography is that it is an art and it rules are open to the interpretation of the artist. You know the saying "Rules are meant to be broken"?

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