Photography Friday {Composition: Rule of Thirds}
March 10, 2012 by Aimee • 24 Comments
The only real rule in photography is there are no “real” rules! Photography is an art and with that comes endless opportunities for creativity and exploration! But if you study beautiful works of photography, there are techniques and guidelines that have been proven to make a simple picture into an absolute piece of perfection! Let’s start our mini-series on composition by talking about the Rule of Thirds! I will admit, this is a lesson intended for yours truly! It’s one of those things I’ve heard time and time again, but hopefully now that I’ve taken the time to truly get it, I can pass on my professional hubby’s photography tricks for you!
For years I thought that the Rule of Thirds in photography was referring to the empty spaces on the grid!! Actually, the rule of thirds says that the most important part of your subject in your shot should be positioned along the dividing lines that divide the picture into thirds! The reason the rule of thirds enhances the interest of a photograph is because our eyes are naturally drawn to a point about two-thirds into the picture. If you crop your photo so that the main subjects are located around one of the dividing lines rather than in the center, you’ll be oozing with popularity and only you and other photographers will know why!! Your digital camera may actually have a grid like this when you look through the camera’s viewfinder. Let me show you a few pictures of the Rule of Thirds totally working and then I’ll leave you to do a little creative practicing on your own! Don’t leave me hanging though, I totally want to see your results!!!
So let’s have a little fun….
1. How does the Rule of Thirds represented in the photograph below!?!?
Yep, you’re right! The Rule of Thirds is applied in this photograph where Little B is positioned along the third vertical line of the photograph!
These are such awesome tips!! I didn’t even know there was a name or concept behind some of these great photos…thanks for the lesson
I can’t wait to use it next time I’m shooting!
x0x0 Jess
Thanks! I knew about this, and I shoot/edit all the time with the vertical thirds. But somehow those poor horizontal lines seem to get neglected. I love the way you do everything so step-by-step. Now I might actually remember to use it!
Hi Aimee
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http://bathbombcreations.blogspot.com/
Now I get it!
))
Because I did not have a clue, I preferred the in the ‘middle ciryl’ approach rather than one of the other blocks.
Now I get it too!!
Hi Aimee…I have been following along on all of your photo posts. I recently put together some new props for photographing the things in my Etsy shop. http://www.onsuttonplace.com/2012/03/new-tea-towel-and-whats-to-come.html
Here is a link to a few of my pics. Following your rule of thirds I think I need to get lower. Would you agree?
Aimee….great post. I never paint a painting without following that rule. You have paintable photos….by the way.
THANK YOU, Aimee! What a fun and informative post! No wonder why we always love some photos more than others! I learned something new today!
xoxo laurie
this is great !! thanks so much !! i have a special request
can you give some tips on photographing babies ? i have a photo shoot coming up and ive never photographed babies before. Just looking for some tips
I love learning as much as I can about photography, and this has really helped. Thanks for your whole series it really is a good one. Learning is a good thing. Thanks for sharing all your inspiration at Sunday’s Best.
This is awesome! I’m totally going to try this trick out the next time I bust out the camera. I’m going to pin it too, just to make sure I don’t forget
This was a huge “Aha” moment for me! Thanks for all of your wonderful photography tips! They are really helping me to take better pictures! Thanks for sharing at our party, too!
Take care,
Trish
Great post!
Mrs. Delightful
http://www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for sharing this information. I need to remember this not only when I am taking a picture but when I am editing photos also. I saw your post over at “Open House Party” on the “No Minimalist Here” blog.
such a great post! i remember learning about this in my photography class in high school.
i would love for you to link this post up to my weekend wrap up link party: spread the love.
there are no rules, just link up and share your fun things with others! http://lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com/2012/03/spread-love-2.html
stop by if you are interested!
{love} lauryn
Great post!! Thank you for sharing! I will have to try this out in my photography. Great blog I will be back to learn more from you.
Great tips ! Thanks !
I am really going to try and work on this, what a great visual you gave! Pinned it of course for future reference. I am going to see if my Nikon has that feature, it would make life so much easier if it did it for me
Oh now I get it. Thanks. I read an explanation once before but I didn’t understand. Now I do. Now if I can just remember that next time I take a picture.
Niki
That’s very cool! I’ve known about this rule for awhile but I NEVER apply it! I’m so bad! I’m going to work on this
Thank you so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!
Now that it’s warm outside, I’m going to head outside for this assignment. Better late then never, right?
Just found your lessons from a pin on Pinterest. Thanks for explaining all the technical stuff in easy to understand terms. I’ve done photography classes at my local college, but never got actual settings to try and why, or at least anything I was able to remember while actually out taking photos. I printed your guidelines and can take them with me to refer to when I find myself in tricky lighting situations. Thanks so much!
Wow Loved this lesson! I just came across your little “class” and am loving it! Thanks so much for all your help! This particular lesson helped me cause I was like you!! I thought it had to do with the empty spaces, ahhh!!! So glad I know now! Can’t wait to read more! I love also how you explained ummm…ahhh…shutter speed using the blinds, awesome! Thanks again!
Jennifer Smith
Thank you for putting this into plain English for me