Can someone explain the rule of thirds to me? (Another *blonde* question!!)

S

SarahB

Guest
...(I feel I can say that because I *am* blonde!! :innocent: )

I know the rule of thirds is all about your composition, and you can get the grid thingy (that's a technical term :eyesup: ) on your viewfinder - but what are the rules about placing things?
 
Ideally the focal point of the composition should sit on the junction of the lines. There's a very good explanation in the tutorials section of this very forum. (I think)
 
Its not straight forward and like all rules its there to be broken.

Your subject is supposed to be on one of the third cross sections in the image.
This can be left/right or top/bottom or a combination of both.

The rule is supposed to make an image look more pleasing, as the human eye/brain is more comfortable seeing things this way.
 
not perfect, but here's an example i did for someone else.

http://www.wesleybrookes.co.uk/pics/redcar sunsetsmall3rds.jpg
(Remember the size rules when posting images. Matt)

The idea is to have an object on the lines or at the intersections, see where the sea ends on this pic, it's good use of rule of 3rds.
Also, when you take a landscape picture, instead of having the horizon in the middle, you level it with one of the lines as above, the sea again, also the sun is on the other line going across. I hope you get the idea :)
 
A good thing to do it get a picture you have taken that seems to 'work' and apply the grid, you usually end up with a 'ooOOOOooo' type response! :)
 
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