Rule of thirds: portrait orientation.

[funk1196]

Do you apply the rule of thirds in portrait orientation?

It seems like when people are put into a third, in portrait orientation, it looks more like the photographer just didnt center the subject, and didnt crop to correct for it.

maybe if it was a full body shot it might be different?


composing a proper portrait orientation photo seems a bit more challenging no matter what the case.....any suggestions; in regards to people photos or any other type of photography

[S-S]

you can use it in any shape image, even a square.
but its a rule that can also be broken, or ignored in favour of another like the golden mean.

you dont have to cram the whole subject into the 1/3 or 2/3 section... you can just place the point of interest (like foremost eye for example) on a line or node

[Jim G]

Keep on experimenting and find what works for you; sometimes the rules work well, sometimes breaking them works better.

[*Sonic*]

Rules are meant to be broken :)

I tend to go for whichever looks best

[airfrogusmc]

Yep my advice and its usually the advice I give most when it comes to portraits and again its not hard or fast but try and keep the eyes off the 50% horizon line and the head from being dead center unless thats supporting the overall visual statement or making the image stronger which it rarely does and is something those new to portrait photographer do because of the center auto focus point.

[robsk8ter247]

Ya I would not have the body on the line and then dead space. I would just put the eye on the intersection.

[funk1196]

Yep my advice and its usually the advice I give most when it comes to portraits and again its not hard or fast but try and keep the eyes off the 50% horizon line and the head from being dead center unless thats supporting the overall visual statement or making the image stronger which it rarely does and is something those new to portrait photographer do because of the center auto focus point.

keep the eyes off the 50% horizon line? do you have an example of this? cause i'm not quite sure what that means! :P

[superstes]

Hey Funk

I assume he means the halfway line.

Take a look at your avatar, the center of your eye is just a tad higher than this imaginary halfway up horizon line.

[fishfoto]

Learn the rules then throw then all out of the window. It has been my philosophical approach for a while now...........


Yes you can use the rule of 3rds for portraits and many people do. It is often applied to corporate and ad photos to allow for text and logos.

[airfrogusmc]

Hey Funk

I assume he means the halfway line.

Take a look at your avatar, the center of your eye is just a tad higher than this imaginary halfway up horizon line.

More than just tad. Place them on about the 1/3 line or even higher/lower whatever is appropriate.

[superstes]

Hi airfrogusmc

I was just explaining to Funk where the line is you described.

[airfrogusmc]

OPPPs misread it....sorry;)

[superstes]

Yep my advice and its usually the advice I give most when it comes to portraits and again its not hard or fast but try and keep the eyes off the 50% horizon line and the head from being dead center unless thats supporting the overall visual statement or making the image stronger which it rarely does and is something those new to portrait photographer do because of the center auto focus point.

Your right there, I was guilty as charged when I first started using center focus point :)

Steve