need help with rule of thirds in a photo

[praline3001]

Good morning everyone! I have been working everyday on my skills
I have been trying REALLY hard to stick to the rule of thirds. I took this photo of a lizard in my backyard and no matter how I try to crop it, I can't get it to fit the rule of thirds and not look silly (IE... lose the subject or action of the shot) if I crop the flower ~ its difficult to see what the lizard is looking at ~ and I don't want to cut him either
I am extremely new at photography and am just not sure what to do with this shot ~ I like the subject matter so I don't want to trash it but I just can't get it to fit in the rules. Am I doing something wrong with the thirds?
Please be kind as I haven't been doing this very long. I know the photo isn't as good as most on here but I am hoping one day my photos will be


ETA: I resized the photo on photobucket but not sure if this is the correct size? Should I have sized it larger for post? Trying figure out what the best pic posting size is.

[Digidave]

The rule of thirds is just a suggestion & isn't necessarily a must. It's used because people believe it to be most pleasing to the eye. I personally like to buck the system & not follow rules to the tee. The composition of this photo is just fine in my opinion. It could use a little more room in front of the little beast but it's not that bad. I wouldn't worry to much about it. Next time, just back off a little bit & leave yourself some room to crop to your liking.

[Chip]

My understanding of this rule of thirds is that it's there to help us remember that, often, if a photo has its subject in the dead center, the photo tends to be a bit stagnant and/or uninteresting.

But, as Digidave said, the rule can - and arguably should - be broken whenever it doesn't work for any given shot.

When you've got a subject like this, one that has an eye and that's on a diagonal, what often seems to work is simply making sure that the eye isn't cenetered. And putting the eye in the upper right hand corner, like you've done, also seems to help - all generally speaking, of course.

Here, I think your crop is fine. But, I wonder what it would look like with the top portion cropped off just below the white flower? It might result in a crop that's too tight to the lizzard's head, but it might be worth it just to see?

With experience, this will start to come easier and easier. It's all part of the learning curve.

[photofun]

I think I would crop out the top of the shot to remove the white flower. It competes for my attention. This puts the lizard's head near the upper third line and makes the shot all about the lizard. I look forward to hearing other suggestions as well. You don't always have to show what your subject is looking at - sometimes it will cause wonder in the observer and make him think more about the shot. But in the end it is a matter of what you want to show as the photographer. I think you've done well capturing the lizard in this shot.

Welcome to the forum and keep posting - this is a great place to learn!

[wulf]

The rule of thirds is a rule of thumb; often helpful but not essential. This image, while a bit overexposed and with an odd colour-cast, is more about the line leading along the lizards tail, through its eye and up to the flower so works because of that.

Wulf

[praline3001]

Thanks for all of the wonderful suggestions. I am getting so many ideas and help on here! Thanks ~ I am loving this site!!!

My way of thinking is I better LEARN the rule and have it down pat before I go breaking it as I don't have a clear concept yet ~ I am focusing on the rule ..for now. I will try cropping the flower out and see what that does for the photo... maybe a little air of mystery

On a side note later the same day ~ I shot this same lizard in the throws of passion I would post those photos but I don't want to be busted for lizard porn

[praline3001]

OK, I am back with the newly edited shot ~ minus the flower.
His eye seems to hit the rule of thirds better. Do you like it better without the flower? I can't tell
I did TRY to fix the color a bit with my software but couldn't get the exposure down without darkening the shadows. I will fiddle more with the coloring this evening.

[nategesner]

I'm an extreme amateur, but I can tell you that the latest version is much more appealing to me. I agree that the first picture was mixed because my eye was drawn to the bright flower as much as the lizard. The entire image still seems over-exposed (?) to me, but your final crop greatly improved it overall.

[serametin]

rule of thirds is not a must. some photo need to follow it but i have seen awesome photos that break rules.

back to your photos... i like the 2nd one cos the first one tend to be very messy. cos i don't know what to see first(the flower or the lizard). the 2nd one is good cos the lizard is in focus whereas everything else not not. and the cropping immediately make me focus my attention on the lizard.

[kencaleno]

Never mind the rule of thirds for this one your second shot has nailed it right,a diagonal (The lizard/gecko) in composition adds dynamism to the image. regards, Ken