Rule Of Thirds& other composition“Rules”

What is “Rule of Thirds”

It is an idea to improve compositions

The photographer imagines 2 vertical and 2 horizontal lines dividing the photo into equal thirds

The lines meet at 4 intersections

The intersections are considered the most attractive points to place the subject

What is “Rule of Thirds”

It is similar to using colours and leading lines…

The idea is our eyes look first at the intersections, instead of the exact centre. It is said we find this a more naturally pleasing image.

We will also notice and follow the “grid lines”. This helps to draw the viewer into the photo.

Example images

HistoryFirst mentioned by John Thomas Smith in 1797, building on earlier work by Joshua Reynolds, talking about light and dark in paintings

Thomas Smith decides painting design can be simplified into a 1:2 proportion (thirds)

A simple method, easily understood, increases in popularity amongst 19th Century landscape artists

Kodak encourages early photographers to use centred compositions. Rule of Thirds creates different images

Included in photography textbooks from 1940s onwards

How do I use it ?

The 2 questions to be asking of yourself are:

What are the points of interest ?

Where am I placing them ?

To help, some cameras have a setting which overlays a rule of thirds grid onto your viewfinder. This removes all guesswork and helps you get your positioning even more accurate.

Using “Thirds” in landscapes

Putting the horizon line in the centre of the image cuts the picture in half, which can stop the eye from moving naturally around the entire image.

Aligning the horizon with the lower horizontal line will make the sky the primary focus

Aligning the horizon with the upper line will put the emphasis on sea, land or structures.

In landscapes..

Including another interesting object, such as the tree, and positioning it according to the rule of thirds will provide an "anchor", a natural focal point for the scene.

If possible, try to include another point of interest at the diagonally opposite intersection from the subject

In portraits

If we position people off to one side of the frame it provides some "breathing space", can show the subject's environment and stops the photo from looking like a “mugshot”

more on space later….

We are naturally drawn to people's eyes. Place them at one of the intersections on the rule of thirds grid to give the shot a clear focal point.

Combining horizontal & vertical linesHere the main subject has been placed at one of the intersections, and also along one of the vertical lines. The twig roughly follows the top horizontal line.

Similarly the actor’s head, body and hand have been placed vertically, with his eyes on the intersection. There is an implied leading line from his arm to his eyes and then to what he is looking at.

Moving a strong vertical subject to the side

Strong vertical subjects can split a photo in two. To avoid this, position them off-centre.

Would the top photo be even better with the

horizon on a third line ?

Again, if you can find a counter-point to the main subject, this will improve the picture

Oops I forgot to use it !

You don’t have to use it all the time

There are times where rule of thirds should not be used

However, if you did want to use it, you could always crop your photo afterwards, or take another photo !

Problems with using Rule of Thirds

It creates uneven space or uneven balance in the composition

It can’t be used with diagonal lines

When not to use it

When we want to emphasise symmetry

If there is a strong central point of interest

When not to use it

When you want a close up portrait

If using it would leave too much empty space

The Golden Ratio

Some say that Rule of Thirds is an oversimplification of a more advanced mathematical equation known as the golden ratio.

The golden ratio is a ratio which has been used by artists, scientists, musicians and mathematicians for centuries.

The reason being is that it seems the human eye is very attracted to the results of the ratio.

The Golden Ratio

In nature we see the golden ratio in plants and the branching of trees, the spirals of shells, the curves of waves, in our DNA and the solar system. It has also been used in architecture, art and music.

Simply put, the golden ratio is a ratio of approximately 1.618 to 1.

The Golden Ratio - Fibonacci

One milestone in maths history was the Fibonacci number series.

In the 12th century Fibonacci replicated the golden ratio by adding together pairs of numbers.

0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144

(0+1=1, 1+1=2, 1+2=3, 2+3=5, 3+5=8)

The Golden Ratio - plotted

The Golden Ratio in Photos

The Golden Ratio & Rule of thirds

The Phi GridThe Phi Grid is an easier way to use the Golden Ratio.

The placement of the lines is a bit different. The resulting rectangles are not the same in terms of size.

The upper and lower horizontal rows are the same in terms of width whereas the middle one is narrower.

The same is true for the right and left vertical lines.

Phi Grid Examples

How do I apply the Golden Ratio ?

Some advanced cameras allow you to display the Phi grid, or curve, in your viewfinder

Some photo-editing programs (Lightroom) can display these as a guide when cropping your photo

Using the Golden Ratio with diagonals

Using the Golden Ratio with diagonals

2 more compositional “Rules”

Rule of Space

Rule of Odds

What is “Rule of Space” ?

Rule of space is simply the act of adding visual space

in front of the direction that an object is moving, looking or pointing

to imply motion and direction

and to lead the eye of the viewer

Using space correctly

When photographing moving subjects, pay attention to the direction they're moving.

As a general rule you should leave more space in front of them than behind, to show where they're going.

For portraits leave space in the direction they are looking

Rule of Space Examples

✓

Rule of Space Examples

✓

Placement of space

Where we place the space can convey different emotions

Do we want to show where we are going ?

Or where we have been ?

Positive & Negative Space

Positive space is any part of the photo that jumps out from its surroundings. That includes your subject, for example, along with other noteworthy areas of detail.

Negative space is just the opposite —parts of an image that don’t attract as much attention, surrounding the positive space and giving it a buffer.

Positive Space –Emotional messagePositive and negative space matter because each one carries a different emotional message.

What does positive space convey?

Crowdedness, power, movement, chaos, and strength.

Negative Space –Emotional message

What does negative space convey?

A sense of calm, peacefulness, and subtlety. Depending upon your subject, they also can appear lonely or solemn.

What is “Rule of Odds” ?

The rule of odds states that images are more visually appealing when there is an odd number of subjects.

When we need to process an even number of elements we tend to pair them up. This separates the whole image into pieces.

But when the image is made up of an odd number of them, our brain can’t pair them all together.

It is said we find this more interesting to look at.

Rule of Odds works best with small numbers

Ideally choose 1, 3 or 5 subjects

We see larger numbers as clusters within groups

Risk we can overwhelm the viewer !

Place odd-numbered arrangements

In a line…

Or a triangle

Rule of Odds Examples

Photographing Nature

Rule of Odds Examples

Street Photography

Applying the rule with even numbers

We can trick the brain into seeing this as a couple and 2 singles

When not to use it

When photographing couples

Or items that belong together

To sum up….

3 Different composition ideas

Not rules, but guidelines to help you compose better

Try adding a grid to your viewfinder

Think about the grids when taking/cropping photos

Think about space

Think about odds & evens !