at the risk of sounding ignorant

[fromthebleachers]

whats the rule of 3rds . Not that have ever been one to follow the rules

[glenhead]

Ah, a rule begging to be broken. I'm sure others will argue with my opinion of it, but here it is in a nutshell.

Divide your viewfinder image into thirds top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Put your main subject in the left or right third to show "movement" or "tension" or some such. In the hoity-toity world, having your subject in the center vertical third is "static" and "formal", and turns the shot into just another snapshot.

For landscapes, let's use a beach or mountain scene as the example. Put the sand or nearby grass/trees at the bottom third, the ocean or mountains in the middle third, and the sky at the top third.

It's interesting to watch how shows on the idiot box are framed. If you pay attention, you'll notice that the person who's talking is frequently in the left or right third of the shot.

[BeccaNH]

Here's a great link that explains the rule of thirds (and other composition techniques). I've been working through these lessons trying to learn as much as I can and have found them very helpful.

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php?lesson=1

[ericgtr]

Great article, Becca. Thanks for sharing that, there is all kinds of great info in there.

[robertwgross]

I disagree with Glen.

Once you have divided the frame into thirds, top-to-bottom and left-to-right, you will have four intersections of those imaginary dividing lines. The rule of thirds tells you to put your main subject at one of those four intersections, not in one of the thirds.

---Bob Gross---

[fromthebleachers]

Here's a great link that explains the rule of thirds (and other composition techniques). I've been working through these lessons trying to learn as much as I can and have found them very helpful.

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php?lesson=1

thank you for the link where will i ever find the time to learn all this stuff very helpful thnx for the comments Renda

[Titus213]

Math in photography and composition. Golden Mean, etc. Fascinating stuff that works...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds

[soupdragon]

I disagree with Glen.

Once you have divided the frame into thirds, top-to-bottom and left-to-right, you will have four intersections of those imaginary dividing lines. The rule of thirds tells you to put your main subject at one of those four intersections, not in one of the thirds.

---Bob Gross---

This is true, but the rule only applies to one aspect ratio.

[robertwgross]

This is true, but the rule only applies to one aspect ratio.

Most of us are using cameras with the standard 3:2 aspect ratio.

Did you have something different in mind?

---Bob Gross---

[soupdragon]

Well if you've ever stitched pictures to make pano's or cropped 5X4 to do the same then yes.

[soupdragon]

Come to think of it, the world is going wide aspect if you look at the geometry of LCD TV's or lap top computers.

[jjonsalt]

Actually, the "Rule of Thirds" is a simplified version (and not a good one, I feel) of the "Golden Mean Rule" (aka, Golden Ratio or Golden Rectangle). Perhaps this link will be of help, http://photoinf.com/Golden_Mean/Eugene_Ilchenko/GoldenSection.html

[gasrocks]

I teach a few classes in composition. I simplify the Rule of Thirds into: don't put the subject in the middle but don't get too extreme either. There are an infinite number of places to put the subject in the frame not just 4 (as that rule tells you.) Please study pictures, take a class, read a book on composition. I am sure there are rules here that prohibit me from using the language I'd like to express how "stupid" the Rule of Thirds is.

[zacker]

i agree with bob..put the main subject in an intersection but... if you have 3 objects, for example, grass, mountains, sky, then go and put them in the thirds, between the lines. this rule is only a guide though so stick em where ya want to and have fun!
-zacker-

[blue_max]

It suggests that in the middle is not the best place, but not too near the edge.

How vague a rule is that.

Graham

[Pyromaniac]

Not that have ever been one to follow the rules

This is one you might want to chuck out the window, proper placement of the subject/s is really a matter of taste. If you think it looks good in a certain spot thats what matters.