Saturday, November 15, 2008

Of rule of thirds and composition...........

Every now and then we've heard the importance of the rule of thirds and their significance in compositing our photos. In bringing out the best in your subject, and making them work.

Simply put, the rule of thirds is placing the subject in question on one of the 4 placements on the imaginary lines in your pic. But, lest we forget that it only covered a third of the photo. So what happens to the other two thirds then?

For me, its about striking a good balance between all of the aspects in the pic that make the composition works. If the FG, BG, didn't work...or even worse, over powering the subject....than to me the picture doesn't work. The other 2/3rd of the pic has to work in tandem with the main subject and vice versa.

Ohhhh btw didn't 1/3 plus 2/3 equals to = 1 ?

8 comments:

-kar- said...

Venting or nitpicking?

zamrud photography said...

Just self reflecting myself bro....

Nicholas Leong said...

Every so and then I explain to people the rules of third, yet I never really understood how it works. :P

As long as the picture looks nice, I guess somewhere in there, the rules of third was observed :P

zamrud photography said...

Ppl are highly curious in nature and objects off center will capture the eyes more. Couple that with a leading line to lead the eye towards the subject, u have the rule of third.

Leading line/s can be an object, color, highlight/shadow etc. As long as it doesn't over powering the subject it'll work.

Some ppl see rule of thirds naturally than others....its second nature to them.

Azmi Rahman said...

Sometimes we don't have to add to make it 1. Can always leave it as 1/3. :P

Anway, those 'rules' were made for guides. For me who only take photo once in a blue moon, I need those guides so that I know where to start. Without the guides, I might lost my way.

zamrud photography said...

There will always be another 2/3 noru....even with a blank space. Coz now the space is the 2/3.

Azmi Rahman said...

I know... Saja pulling your leg a bit. :P

I did some readings recently on how to improve my compositions. Get back to basics. And like you have said, the 2/3 of the area is also as important as the 1/3 of the area.

zamrud photography said...

Oooo pulling my leg eh.....as if my leg not long enif oredi la.