Magazine Framed Picture
Magazine Framed Picture
Photograph Composition - Getting Creative with the Rule of Thirds to enhance Photograph Composition and achieve more attractive pictures as a result
The rule of thirds states that a photographer should mentally divide the view finder of his camera into thirds, both horizontally and vertically and place his subject matter in a balanced fashion within the boundaries that form the centre third. In fact some digital compacts and DSLRs offer the thirds framing option within settings on the camera view finder monitor screens.
However I believe that there is plenty of scope for artistic interpretation and what I have attempted to do here is develop some creative insights to assist other photographer enthusiasts with their shot making.
Different photograph types require dissimilar approaches. For example, where shooting a landscape, say a headland, the horizon might be aligned along the bottom boundary of the centre third, the foreground occupies the bottom third and the outstanding feature, the promontory occupies the centre third with the sky above in the top third. Across the vertical access, the cape would occupy two thirds of the image as the main feature of the photograph. All very standard you might think but understanding layout and composition of a potential image provides consistency with photo taking.
Staying with the same example, by altering the emphasis of the thirds, it is possible to create an altogether different interpretation and approach to this picture. A spectacular cloud formation fills the sky. The feature of the shot will become the cloud formation and the top two thirds of the image will showcase this while the peninsula now occupies the bottom third and anchors the shot.
The drama of the spectacle can be further enhanced by rotating the camera through ninety degrees to extend the height of the image making the thirds deeper. Width of shot is sacrificed but the extra height can sometimes really make the shot. With memory so cheap these days, taking a range of different images encompassing different compositions can achieve some sometimes spectacular and interesting alternatives.
Portrait photography, on the other hand not only takes account of the rule of thirds but other aspects of the potential shot need to be considered. Size of the pic, i.e. close-up, medium close-up, mid shot, medium wide or head to toe photograph all influence the rule of thirds in different ways.
Where the portrait image is a close-up then the eyes would coincide with the border between the centre and top thirds. A medium close-up, say elbow to top of the head would realign the shot so that the upper torso occupied the bottom third and the top of the head lined up with the boundary between the centre and top thirds. A head to toe shot would occupy the bottom two thirds in similar fashion leaving the top third as headroom.
Is the portrait face-on or profile? If face on, then by following the rule of thirds, one might expect to have the desired image appearing in the centre of the image. This aspect can seem stilted and boring. By creating the portrait where the subject is slightly angled away from the camera and set slightly to one side, the picture can be opened up to include some interesting detail and the viewer is lead into the picture.
Yet it is important to not be too distracted with what is going on around the subject so once again balance is an integral part of the photograph composition.
If the subject is going to be profiled, then less available room behind and more in front helps to create what is known as “speaking room” or “looking room” and invites the viewer to look in the same direction as the subject and to participate vicariously in the scene that the subject appears to be involved in.
Remember that displaying what is in behind the subject does not usually add significantly to the composition. If, for example, the subject is facing left, then the right shoulder can be located flush against the right hand frame of the photo for a more interesting photographic composition. This creativity adds immensely to the interest of the photo, provided of course that an appropriate scene has been set for the portrait in the first place.
Additional Resources:
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About the Author
I've walked this earth for the last 56 years and started taking pics as a kid on a "Box Brownie" before migrating to a Kodak Instamatic 110. I moved up to 35mm with a Minolta 7 Series II in 1976 and eventually made it to SLR via the Canon T70 and some decent Tamron Telephoto and wide angle lenses in 1983. I recently moved into digital photography and just love the instant immediacy and myriad options that the new technology brings.
I specialize in landscape photography. Living in New Zealand (Godzone), I am blessed with many spectacular photo opportunities. These days my camera is almost always close at hand and I have been rewarded with some awesome results.
I have twice been the recipient of the Editor's Choice Bronze Award from the International Library of Photography and have been involved for the last 10 years in my church video team where my responsibilities include cameraman, director, team manager.
A foray onto the Internet a couple of years ago led to the establishment of my first photography website (since sold) and I have a string of similar projects in train including a photography store-front,
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