Lesson Seven and Eight - Rule of Thirds and Photographic Composition

Lesson Seven and Eight – Rule of Thirds and Photographic Composition

                It is important to understand the rule of thirds.  If you envision your shot  broke up into 9 squares, like a tic tac toe board, you should place the most interesting parts of the shot in the intersecting points or along the four lines.  The theory is that a persons eyes are naturally drawn to these points or lines.  Therefore it is important to put interesting visual images in this location.  Pictures will be interesting to the viewer and well balanced if this rule is followed.  I have used the rule of thirds in order to create good photographic composition in my pictures.  It is also important to remember that sometimes we have to break rules.  Some situations may require a different approach and this is okay.

  I enjoyed setting up pictures to create good photographic composition.  While I was site seeing along the marina in downtown Buffalo, I saw boaters.  I waited for them to drift to the perfect spot in my imaginary grid and then I snapped the shot.  I’m glad I have a better understanding of this rule.