There are a basic rules in composing an image, composition which make the picture interesting with the help of elements. Even though the rules should be followed, but breaking the rules at time create interesting pictures. Before a photographer step up and take a picture you should consider what you want your viewers to look at, and how you should display main points of interest. You should ask yourself, what is the main subject? What angle should the light be hitting in my picture? We at shutterbug academy teach you the basic rule of thirds, and how to implement it in your image. People have a natural tendency to want to place the main subject in the middle. Placing it off center using the rule of thirds will make for an attractive composition. This rule can also be applied for landscape where the photographer keeps the horizon on the 1/3 grid keeping the majority of the image he/she wants to emphasis on the lower or upper grid. At times it is difficult to place your subject at the intersession of the grid, and may look odd initially, but the final result will capture your viewers attention all the time.
Keeping the candle off center holds the viewer attention from being diverted to the other side, and loosing focus from the subject. Some may argue that doing so we have lost the essence of the subject, since we have cropped the bottom of the subject. We need understand and decide what is our point of focus and what we want as a photographer for the viewer to appreciate in the picture. Rule of third plays a very important part in doing so. We should use our judgement to understand where is it important to use this rule.
As mentioned before this rule also can be used for Landscape, by keeping the horizon on the upper or lower line of the grip, depending on what you want the viewer to pay attention to. In the above image I wanted the viewer to have a look at the city structures from a height, thus keeping the horizon the upper line of the grid.
I hope this helped you to understand a little better the Rule of thirds. It is on the photographer when and how to use it, to capture the viewers attention.
- Rahul Borges