Rule of thirds
The rule of thirds is a guideline that states how we should arrange our subject when taking a photograph. The idea is that our image should be divided into nine equal parts by two horizontal and vertical lines and that our compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their meeting points (hot spots or focal points).
By using this technique so by positioning your key elements at the rule of thirds grid lines, your photo becomes more balanced, filled with energy and more interesting than simply centering your subject.
The rule of third is applied by aligning a subject with the guide lines and their intersection points for example placing the horizon on the top or on the bottom line. The main reason for using the rule of thirds is to discourage placement of the subject at the centre in order to prevent the horizon from appearing to divide the picture in half. When photographing people, it is common to line the body up to a vertical line and the person’s eyes to a horizontal line. When photographing a still subject who is not directly facing the camera most of the empty space should be in front of the subject.
The rule of thirds composition provides a more engaging photographic experience. Also it draws on the way humans naturally view images. Studies show that people’s eyes usually go to one of the intersection points rather than the centre of the shot – so the rule of thirds works with this natural way of viewing an image.
Original shoot
Edits
Screenshots
Review
On my photoshoot I tried to position my subject on the focal points. I went out in our garden firstly and did a few pictures. the one with the tree trunk in is a lot more interesting when the trunk is not in the middle. And also changing the angle or just zooming in a little bit gives it a different outcome. The background is blur and the subject is sharp.
With this technique I learnt how important it is not to simply take pictures but applying the rule of thirds to take pictures in a way that is the most pleasing to the eye. When taking pictures I tried keeping in mind how to position my subjects on the focal points.
By using photoshop for example on the picture where there is a tree trunk with vibrancy it brightened up the picture. On the one where there is a shadow of somebody it just darkened and sharpened the shadow and made it more visual.
And the one with the boat on the canal desaturation just made the year the picture was taken questionable so in other words more historic.