The rule of thirds

[Rebel]

Can anyone offer a simple explanation about the rule of thirds? What is it exactly and what are the rules of thumb (if any) Any and all feedback will be greatly appreciated

[maderito]

While composing or cropping an image:

- Identify the most important image features - e.g. horizon, eyes in a portrait, fence post, etc.

- Compose/crop to place these important features 1/3 from top or bottom of image and/or 1/3 from left or right. Imagine a grid that trisects the image horizontally and vertially. The key image features should sit at the interesection of the grid points.

The point of the rule is to avoid the "rule of halves" which would put major features of the image centered in the composition.

It's really not a rule - it's a guide. Good photographers ignore or break the rule of thirds (intentionally) all the time.

[Belmondo]

I wish they would change the name from 'The Rule of Thirds' to 'The Recommendation of Thirds.' There are situations that are simply not appropriate for that kind of composition, and I've passed on shots that I later regretted because they didn't fit the rule.

Remember, on artistic matters, there is no single 'right way' to do things.

Take photos. Have fun.

[maderito]

Tom,

Admittedly, I've been away a few days, but I just noticed your new avatar -
the venerable Snellen chart to test the world's most perfect image capture device.

Can you read the bottom third (from 20 ft). :P :P

[Belmondo]

Tom,

Admittedly, I've been away a few days, but I just noticed your new avatar -
the venerable Snellen chart to test the world's most perfect image capture device.

Can you read the bottom third (from 20 ft). :P :P

My brother-in-law is an OD. For the last twenty years, all he has said is, "Which is better, one or two? ----A or B?" Conversations with him are extremely limited. :lol: I just liked the idea of another sort of focus test as part of my avatar. You're the first to pick it up. Good job!

[iwatkins]

Rule of thirds is an approximation of the "Golden Square" (do a search on Google). This ratio repeats throughout nature and if we see pictures using this ratio they are more pleasing to us as they "feel" more natural. That is why the rule of thirds works.

But go ahead and break the rule, I do everyday (I'm such a rebel).

Cheers

Ian

[stopbath]

Exposure is another guideline often confused as a rule.

While the meter (in camera or hand held) may give you a correct exposure for the subject (compensation may be needed), the perfect exposure is more of an artistic choice...

[Olegis]

Petteri Sulonen offers a nice explanation (http://www.seittipaja.fi/data/Photography_lessons/Composition/Lesson_1/_The_Rule_of_Thirds.html) of the rule of thirds on his site