Rule of Thirds
Lesson 40 from: Mastering Photographic Composition and Visual StorytellingChris Weston
Rule of Thirds
Lesson 40 from: Mastering Photographic Composition and Visual StorytellingChris Weston
Lessons
Your 10,001st Photograph
03:24 2Camera Gear
03:03 3Piece of Gear We Always Forget
03:47 4Be a Storyteller
03:09 5Finding Ideas For Photography - Know Your Subject
06:59 6Cae Study - Why Are Zebras Black and White Striped
01:30 7Photograph What You Love
02:00 8See the Extraordinary in Ordinary Things
01:31Have an Opinion
01:46 10See With a Child’s Eyes
02:34 11Tell Your Story
08:46 12Find a Needle in the Haystack
01:38 13Lions Hunting Under Star Trails
04:21 14Ansel Adams and Visualisation in Practice
03:20 15Keeping an Open Mind and Thinking on Your Feet
02:47 16Case Study - The Maternal Bond
02:42 17Don’t Tell the Same Old Story
02:38 18Relevance
01:06 19#1 Reason Photographs Fail
02:57 20Getting Rid of Clutter
03:59 21Post Capture Cropping
02:04 22The Elements of Design
02:31 23Elements of Design
01:38 24Elements of Design - Shape
02:21 25Case Study - Shape
02:11 26Elements of Design - Color
01:55 27Case Study - Color
01:50 28Color in Camera
01:42 29Pattern
01:54 30Texture
02:24 31Seeing The Elements of Design
08:52 32Gestalt Theory
05:10 33Case Study - Cove
01:36 34Case Study - Hat
02:09 35Light and Contrast
01:54 36Light and Form
01:26 37Light and Depth
03:48 38Perspective
02:28 39Lenses and Perspective
02:47 40Rule of Thirds
02:48 41Centre of Frame
01:36 42Case Study - Positioning the Subject
01:48 43Positioning the Subject - Dynamic Symmetry
03:20 44The Horizon Line
02:52 45Should the Horizon Line Always be Straight and Level
02:13 46Other Lines
04:57 47Rhythm, Balance, and Visual Weight
02:59 48Negative Space
02:29 49The Two Most Important Controls on Your Camera
03:41 50Training the Mind
04:26Lesson Info
Rule of Thirds
a few 1000 years ago when they were designing. They're rather beautiful buildings. Ancient Greek architects came up with a mathematical formula, which determined the most aesthetic position for doors and windows on the facade. This formula described a ratio that became known as the golden mean and the rule of thirds is loosely based on this formula has become a bit of a compositional cliches. Why? Well, because, like most cliches it holds true, have to show you what I mean. Let's create an image space in this case, a wee white house in an imposing landscape. The basic concept divides this image space in tow, 1/3 portions, both vertically and horizontally, creating a virtual grid. The four points where the lines intersect, known as polar points, are the key based on the maths. An object positioned on any one of these points becomes the main point of interest in this case, the White House. Now this tells the viewer very simply, wherein the image you want them to begin now, what happens n...
ext is equally important. The I am moves from the point of interest into the area of space radiating from this point, which is called the area of interest. Essentially, whatever is in the area of interest gains emphasis of visual elements outside of it. In some ways, the simplicity of the rule of thirds is what makes it so effective, and that the viewer doesn't have to work too hard to read. The visual story at the same time is one dimensional. Nature is its downside. Used in isolation, it creates a relatively static composition. You start at one point and go to another. Now, if you're a novice, is it a good place to start? Well, applying the rule of thirds will turn an image that could have worked but didn't into an image. That's okay. However, at best, the rule of thirds is an overly simplified form of a more complex set of design. Principles on by itself won't take your photography too far beyond ordinary. On the other hand, used in conjunction with some of the more comprehensive gestalt theories, it provides a sound base from which to move forward. So you should use it all the time, right? Well, no. As we've seen in a ruler third composition, the eye is drawn away from the principal subject. What if you don't want the viewers. Attention, toe, wander in this way. What if instead, you want the viewers attention to remain fixed firmly on the main subject? Well, in this case, the rule of thirds is working against you. But don't worry, because in the very next lesson, I'm going to reveal a technique that solves this problem.
Ratings and Reviews
Edmund Cheung
Perhaps the style of presentation and simple, short, and direct messaging does not "jive" with some; but others may really love this. Yes the production of each episode is stylized and perhaps a bit formal (like a TV Show?), but there is something to be said about it. Perhaps this is not meant for professional photographers? I think of myself as decent amateur / high level photographer. I found lots of great nuggets of wisdom and inspiration from this. Especially when I an in a rut for creativity. Yes I have heard all these concepts and ideas before. BUT it is always great to hear and see a different way of presentation and voice. Please do NOT take the naysayer reviews as the end all. You should judge for yourself and watch a few episodes. If the style and content click for you, I would highly recommend this course.
Abdullah Alahmari
Thanks a lot to mr. Chris Weston This course is great and It is a 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 course for me. Beside the other course ( mastering the art of photography ) both courses are Complementing to each other and highly recommended.
Kai Atherton
While I am perhaps more advanced in my photography then this course. It is always great to be able to go back to fundamentals and remind ourselves of the basic principles, and even camera function. I thoroughly enjoyed this course and Chris's other. It is a great motivational jumpstart when lacking fresh creative idea's.
Student Work
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