composition "rules"

[cleamon]

Ok, I'm familiar with the rule of thirds and use it often. I also know NOT to use it sometimes. I've read some about the "golden ratio" and understand what is being explained from the mathematical standpoint, but what I don't get is HOW to apply that to a composition. Can someone show me an example(s) of this in a photo?

Are there other "rules" generally used?

Thanks in advance.

[Nicole]

Have you checked out the links in this post? Composing a shot

Some links to overlays and also visual guides if you go through some of the links in the post.

[BCampbell]

Let me Google that for you...

Lots of examples there, with overlays, some better than others.

You'll usually be looking at the arrangement of points if you're trying to compose to the golden mean, but geometric shapes and lines/curves are of course important too. You can find tons of examples in every day life, but until you can really spot it, you might want to try setting up various still lifes to experiment.

[cleamon]

Doh! I could have thought of that! Thanks

[cleamon]

Originally Posted by Nicole

Have you checked out the links in this post? Composing a shot

Some links to overlays and also visual guides if you go through some of the links in the post.

Yes I had tried some of those. Unfortunately, some like "Geometrical Composition Guides" take me to site that has lots of text, but all the examples are missing (replaced with a ? in a blue box).
I did find the Hopkins one very useful, but doesn't talk about the golden ratio at all.
I understand what the golden ratio is, but not HOW and WHEN to apply it to a scene.

Thanks for the links, I'll keep looking.

[teaking]

I think the rule of thirds and golden ration should be treated more as guides as sometimes they just dont work. The main thing I feel is to decide on what it is in the shot your shooting and make sure that is in your shot first and foremost. Then decide is it the contrast im composing for this could be the contrast between soft and hard, cold and warm, blurred and sharp and light or dark. Your subject could have a shadow and you may want that in your shot to so that could mean your subject looks daft on the thirds grid as it doesnt count for the contrast and shadow. Or you could be using lines to take you into the photo in which case I want my subject more central. Other reasons for composition could be the foreground is interesting it may not be your subject but you may want to use it so you compose with your subject up top and foreground at the bottom leading up.

I think the best advice is to keep it simple throw out of the picture what isnt part of your subject and refine your composition based on that.

[cleamon]

Originally Posted by teaking

I think the rule of thirds and golden ration should be treated more as guides as sometimes they just dont work..

I don't disagree with anyone on that point. I totally ignore the "rules" all the time.

What I'm looking for is examples of the golden ratio in practice - with explanations.

[dakwegmo]

This article has some good examples with Golden Mean overlays Golden Mean | Jake Garn Photography

You can also do a google image search for golden mean photos or golden ratio photos and get some good results that illustrate the concept.

[LoveDSLR]

You can try this with your own photos Composition Adjuster.

[beatles2]

Rules, there are rules. Nobody told me there are rules.