Question about the rule of thirds?

Question

Ok....so is it better to have something of interest at just ONE of the intersection points, or is it better to have something of interest at 2 or more of the intersection points?

Here's examples:

http://picasaweb.google.com/SJSpildener/PlayingWithTheNewCamera/photo#5235520982427797202

http://picasaweb.google.com/SJSpildener/PlayingWithTheNewCamera/photo#5235520982696014450

I know that it depends on what you're photographing and what you're trying to portray.....but technically, what's better?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I agree with the other people, but I think it might help to think why we use the rule of thirds in the first place. If we put our subject in the dead center, one would think that there is nothing else of interest in the photo and therefore ignore anything else.

The photo's I find the most interesting are the ones that immediately draw the eye to a certain point then gently lead the eye around to look at more subtle yet important subjects. They are interesting beyond the first glance.  

So I would say that more than one object on a third point isn't necessary, but to not have more than one thing in the photo would be a mistake.

Answer 2

you've been studying, very clever question.

artistically it depends on what you're trying to portray and i think that holds true for the technical aspect as well,

but i gave you a star, because perhaps some of my contacts will see this question and have a better answer for you. something more definite.

Answer 3

the "rules" of photography aren't really set in stone rules, but guidelines. rules are meant to be broken.  

Answer 4

Like you said, it depends. Anything and everything can be successful, including completely breaking all the "rules".

However, if you must have a rule I'd say this:

either stick with the ONE point of interest (according the rule of thirds), or make it THREE of them (as a triangle), because triangular compositions tend to be pleasing to our eyes, too.

Answer 5

As said, the 'rules' in photography are purely speculative and subjective to YOUR point of view. Some times a gazillion rules can be broken, but yet, the picture draws people. It's hard to explain, but you know what you like and that's that.

Generally.... you want the image to have a - flow.. It makes your eyes walk around in it, and are drawn to different points as they wander. At the same time making the mind think, what was the photographers idea or thought. Is the picture telling me something and I'm not hearing it, yet..?!

Sometimes, as in a head shot, the whole image is there in one -kapow..! However, if done right, with lighting, shades and color, you can still make the eye wander "thru" the image looking at the finer detail in their eyes, hair, lips, skin tone and such..

Landscapes and travel like images, like to be a story book in one shot. Your eyes are drawn to a main "item" then you notice - paths - that lead you further and further in the photo. This is why - S - shaped roads, rivers, streams or path ways work well, especially if not centered dead on (the 3rd's rule). But even here, if the image has enuf dynamics of it's own, things CAN be dead center, and get away with it.

I like the man and bicycle over the goat, however, IMHO, if the goat was in the lower corner and not the upper, it too could be a curious shot, But not knowing what was at the horizon, behind the goat, it's hard to say, and it may have been taken this way to crop out the distant background.

Many photos need - balance, The goat image is "top heavy".. The guy and bike have a good balance. The art of using Feng shui in ones photography is not a bad idea - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui - and one has to be open and keen to this when looking thru the viewfinder of their camera and composing.

Photography is a form or art. Art has to be challenged, in the way people see it and the way people do it. Out of this challenge can arrive some mighty interesting work showing us that this person did indeed think - out side the box - and walks their own S shaped path thru life.

Bob - just stumbling thru the desert sometimes - Tucson

Answer 6

i understand why people think the rule of thirds is good, and my old techer used to bang on about it ALL the time... but to be perfectly honest i find things that go against the rule much more interesting.

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