Picture Composer

Picture Composer

Using the "Rule of Thirds"

The art of resisting the temptation to place an object in the center of a photograph.

Divide your viewfinder into thirds both horizontally and vertically

as seen in the illustration below.

You don't have to be exact, a proximity of your imaginary lines will work.

This is where you will place important elements of your photo.

A strong horizontal line, such as a fence, you will want to put on one

of the horizontal lines or close to it. A strong vertical line such as a

tree trunk would be placed near or on one of the vertical lines.

Placing either one of these strong elements in a centred position

makes the design appear static.

At the points where the lines intersect is where you will want to place

a strong object such as a large flower. If you follow a diagonal that

goes through the intersections such as in this lily photograph you

create an image with motion that creates excitement.

Try these examples next time you take a photo.