Subscriber Tuesdays: Rule of Thirds
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A subscriber recently emailed me the following question:
“I have a question for you about cropping. Is there a rule to crop photographs? What’s acceptable and what’s not?”
Ah yes… the infamous Rule of Thirds 
. Wikipedia defines it as the following:
The rule of thirds is a compositional rule of thumb in visual arts such as painting, photography and design.
Although many of you reading this post will be more than familiar with the Rule of Thirds (ROT) – I am going to challenge you to take it one step further. I would suggest you really start to pay attention - not only to photographs (your own, others, advertisements in magazines/newspapers, etc.) – but to the ROT in television. Once you start noticing it – you will be amazed how it really is used everywhere in television. The bottom line is that the main focus or subject of a photograph simply looks more appealing to the eye when it is not placed smack dab in the middle of a photographic image.
Basically – in simple terms – if you divide your photograph into thirds (as I have done below) – you want your subjects or points of interest to fall somewhere close to those lines.
Square image separated into thirds...
Although the ROT is important to adhere to as a general rule – there are times when an adorable image simply does not allow for it – due to how it may have been originally shot. Thus – simply take note that it is a general rule. Personally, I try to adhere to it as much as possible – but sometimes I don’t simply because I find that I would end up cropping out important information if I did so.
Below are some examples where I have followed an approximate Rule of Thirds.
5 month old...
5 year old in his bedroom...
Close-up, paying attention to the eyes...
Family on the beach...
Newborn...
Wanted to keep full chair here...
For many of you I recognize this is not necessarily new information – but a review of such an important rule is never a bad thing, in my opinion.
So, my bottom line for readers today…
- Take a look through your portfolio and assess if you’re adhering to the Rule of Thirds
- Take a look around you next time you are out – the ROT is everywhere!
- Pay attention next time you are watching your favorite show. I guarantee you will find the ROT there as well
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Tags: cropping tips, Rule of Thirds, Shooting Tips
2 People have left comments on this post
Great reminder about ROT. I like to break this rule when I can – what can I say..I’m a rebel!