Rule of Thirds

1
Rule of Thirds
2
Image Composition

• Most images from an amateur photographer are
  centered
• Artistically there are composition elements,
  such as lines, points, etc that define an image
• Photographs work better when the area (or areas)
  of interest are placed off center. And this is
  where the rule of thirds comes in
• Divide your image into 9 sections
• Place areas along these lines
• Even if not done in the shot, can be done in
  editing process later

3
Rule of Thirds Tips

• In portrait photography place peoples eyes and
  heads on the horizontal lines depending on how
  close up you are shooting
• Use the vertical grid lines for things like
  trees, waterfalls, buildings, or wider shot of a
  person with a background behind them
• In landscape photography use the horizontal grid
  lines for things like horizons and where water
  meets land

4
Rule of Thirds Landscape/Horizon
Top 1/3 line, so focus Is on beach leading to
the people.

• How to use Rule of Thirds specifically in your
  landscape photography
• Avoid placing the horizon line of a photograph
  directly in the center of the image. Putting the
  horizon line 1/3 of the way from the top or 1/3
  of the way from the bottom creates a more
  attractive composition.
• By placing the horizon line at the top third
  will focus your image on the foreground interest
• By placing the horizon line at the bottom third
  will reduce focus on foreground and send the
  viewers eyes to the background and sky.
• So when composing your image ask yourself, How
  do I want my viewers eyes to scan the image when
  they see my picture?

Bottom 1/3 line, so viewer scans the sky
heavily, and people seemed jammed in compared
to the sky
Horizon is centered so eyes rest in the middle
of frame and provide no movement for the viewer
to capture interest
5
Rule of Thirds Tips

• Try to get specific focal points onto the corners
  of that middle square
• DONT BE A PERFECTIONIST Your subjects of
  interest do not need to be perfectly along these
  lines, but generally close
• After mastering this simple technique, BREAK THE
  RULE
• Suggestions Split the frame into only 4 sections
  and at rare times center

6
Assignment

• For this weeks photo session you will focus on
  using the Rule of Thirds But you must show how
  this rule applies by
• A) First taking a shot of your subject centered
• B) Then taking another shot of the same subject
  using the rule of thirds.
• Save both images in your S/YourName/Photosession
  s/RuleofThirds. Call the centered image TitleA
  and the other image showing the rule of thirds
  TitleB.
• You will need 10 image pairs (so 20 photos
  total) to complete this assignment

B
A