Simple.
It is one of the rules of photography. And a good rule.
Take your viewfinder. Now this is easier to draw than write. But basically divide your viewfinder by creating a grid – horizontal lines at 1/3rd and 2/3rds height, and the same with vertical lines. You should have 9 squares of an equal shape.
Not very well explained but hopefully you get what I mean – if not get in touch with me here and I will explain.
The theory is that if you place the subject of interest in an image in one of the intersections the composition works better than if you don’t.
And if you put your horizon (say) on the top grid line rather than in the middle this also improves a picture massively.
This is The Rule of Thirds.
Does it work?
Yes.
Apart from when it doesn’t.
My suggestion – use the rule of thirds. Learn it. Get used to it. And once you have worked out how you can use this rule to improve your composition break it when it makes sense to.
It is a rule. There is nothing wrong with it.
If following this rule makes you think about your composition more then then that alone is enough as far as I am concerned..
The biggest improvement in my photography recently has been from me thinking more about my composition.
Nothing else. The most important thing to learn is the one we talk the least about.
The rule of thirds is a good thing – trust me!
Wednesday 18th January 2017
