RULE OF THIRDSPhotography II

Photo Composition

Technical Aspects

– Light – This is the Raw Material for our image

– Exposure Controls – ISO, Aperture, Shutter

Creative Aspects

– Subject – What we take a picture of

– Arrangement – How are the subjects arranged with in the frame (background, foreground)

Rule of Thirds

When the frame is divided into three parts horizontally and vertically, we get the arrangement shown here.

Intersection Points

The lines of intersection are ideal placements points for the dominant element in our photograph…the part of the photograph that attracts our attention.

Focal Point

Each photograph should have a focal point. If there is nothing that attracts your attention then the photograph does not communicate clearly.

Facing the Center

When placing a subject according to this rule, be sure to have it face the center of the picture, not away from it.

Subject Placement

Subject placement can be placed along one of the thirds to be effective.

The horizon line should be placed on the thirds line and never in the center if it is visible. This is especially noticeable with scenic views.

The horizon should either fall on the upper or lower thirds of your viewfinder.

Moving the Horizon

In a scene were the sky is the main center of interest, the sky should occupy the upper two-thirds of the frame.

Conversely…

If the sky is unimportant, the foreground subjects should fill the lower two-thirds of the frame and the sky the upper third.

What do you think?

What do you think?

What do you think?

What do you think?

Where do we go from here?

You will be expected to capture a variety of ten photographs that illustrate your understanding of the Rule of Thirds.

Of these ten, only two enlargements will made.

One enlargement will need to demonstrate your overall understanding of subject placement and a second illustrating how horizon lines shall be incorporated into the Rule of Thirds.

Final Thoughts…

You don’t take a photograph, you make it.

Ansel Adams.