Should have used rule of thirds?

[joepa99]

Taken in La Jolla, California. Wondering if I should have not framed the waves crashing in the center and instead placed them using rule of thirds. Thoughts?

chris_grissom07.jpg

[dakwegmo]

Using the rules of thirds here would proably have made for a much more dynamic image. There's still a good bit of potential for this shot I think if you crop down, so you remove the people and the walkway in the back and then crop in from the left, so the breaking wave is on the left third or so, you'll have a much more interesting shot. (Just my interpreation though).

[LoveDSLR]

Here is a sample crop based on the 'Rule of Thirds' with 'power points' highlighted with red triangles.

[wulf]

There are lots of choices. LoveDSLR has neatly illustrated one. My first impression is that I would probably have done it differently and placed that bright action point at the bottom right intersection.

There isn't just one right answer though. You might find it useful to try several alternatives (and consider different aspect ratios, too). Another approach is to start by deciding what the picture is about. Perhaps the gorgeous rock structure or the violence of the crashing wave or the pattern of the sea surface or.... Pick one and then try different crops to make that immediately obvious. Perhaps pick another one and repeat the exercise and you will probably find the best crop for that purpose is different.

Wulf

[ctcook]

For me this image is about the power of the water, so a crop with the crash on the lower right "power point", and tightened up would be nice. However, that is a really beautiful rock structure and you don't want to take too much of it out. Tough choice, but great shot either way.

[DivotMaker]

Newer here, so take it for what it is worth.

If I cover the top portion of the photograph, the rock structure and the wave crash really jumps out at me.

Example one, using an envelope I had sitting here, I covered the photo where it begins to get narrow and turn down to the left. (I like this the best, because it gives you the full cove affect.

Example two, I moved the envelope down to the top horizontal (red) line. This really seemed to accentuate the wave crash and the rocks.

Depending on what you were trying to convey, these would be my thoughts.

Oh, La Jolla....how I long to return.....