Rule of Thirds

[MidnightSWolf]

I've been wondering about this for quite awhile. I've always thought that the Rule of Thirds was just a general guideline. When I compose my photos, my subject/horizon is usually roughly on a third of my frame.

For example, when I shoot landscapes, the horizon is either somewhere near the top third line or bottom third line.
In this shot: 500px / Photo "The Duckling" by Joycelyn Siew, the duckling is positioned at the bottom right. There's roughly a third of space (slightly more) at the top and to the left.

However, I came across a photographer who made sure his horizons were absolutely right bang on the line of the 3x3 grid. So my question is, does the rule of thirds mean you need to compose your photos so it's EXACTLY thirds, or will just the general position do?

Hope that made sense ^^'

[RichardTaylor]

It's an artistic decision, and it depends on what you are trying to achieve..

The "rule of thirds" is a guide only.

You may want to look at some of the posts (not all) in this Flickr thread.

Flickr: Discussing 62.1 The Rule of Thirds in !afterclass! On Composition

[ceremus]

The rule of thirds is really just a simplification of the golden ratio or golden sections, so really there's no reason you couldn't compose your photographs using golden sectioning instead of along the thirds lines. They're compositional guidelines and generally your composition will be improved by following them, but they're not set in stone and there are times you'll even want to break them.

[ravncat]

I sometimes use a golden spiral overlay when cropping

Honestly though - replace the word rule with guideline and I think you've a better idea of how to deal with the "rule" of thirds. It is meant to place something of importance on one of the lines.

Take a look at The good the bad and the ugly, you'll see the landscapes are often much further towards the edge than the "rule of thirds" states - and I think they work better for it.

[MidnightSWolf]

Originally Posted by ravncat

I sometimes use a golden spiral overlay when cropping

Honestly though - replace the word rule with guideline and I think you've a better idea of how to deal with the "rule" of thirds. It is meant to place something of importance on one of the lines.

Take a look at The good the bad and the ugly, you'll see the landscapes are often much further towards the edge than the "rule of thirds" states - and I think they work better for it.

Guideline of Thirds just isn't as catchy

[wulf]

What do you think of his shots? Results worth emulating or too predictable? It is certainly worth trying the thirds grid as an option when you are composing or cropping a shot. You could also try a session or two where you rigidly stick to the rule and see what you can do with it (or religiously avoid it and see whether you can still come up with strong images).

Wulf

[MidnightSWolf]

I did like his shots, and it was something that I aspired to. He's taken them down and seems to have disappeared for some unknown reason though, so I'm afraid I can't post any examples.

[ccting]

Rule of third, as the ceremus said, is golden ratio 1: 1.61, has been founded more than 1000 years ago by Egyst, for composition.

For landscape photography, usually is put 1/3 or 2/3. However, there are a few exceptions
a) if the 1/3 is distracting, you may want to totally exclude it. That is only ground or only sky.
b) if the 1/3 is not distracting, but least interesting, then you may include a bit of the 1/3
c) if the 1/3 is meaningful but less interesting from another part, then 1/3 is appropriate; More interesting part should be 2/3
d) if both parts are equal interesting, you should put horizon 1/2 1/2. For example reflection..from water..
e) Framing also need to be considered vertical / horizontal shot. Even though horizontal shot is usually applied to landscape photography, but sometimes, vertical shot give more what you need for horizontal shot.. For example stormy weather and its effect to a certain area ..

well.. that's my understanding as a noob

Remember, rules are rules, and when the rules creator create them, they create them with ASSUMPTIONS. ONLY IF ONLY the ASSUMPTIONS are met, application of rule will give possitive result, otherwise adverse result.
Understanding the reasoning for doing something is the best, and not remember / memorize them.

And, what i usually do , as a very noob, is break-down a great photo into its photographic elements, and try to explain them in conceptual level by using well-established theories. Then you could reproduce the photo every time you want, and not by luck.