Beginner Rule of Lines ?

chrispp

chrispp

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Chris
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hi I obviously know of the rule of thirds etc, but we were having a discussion and a 'rule of lines' was mentioned.
I was thinking it's got to be 'leading lines' didn't want to make myself look stupid so kept quiet. Am I right or am I totally missing something ?

Thanks

Chris
 
I've never heard of it, but that means nothing.

I'd have asked for a clarification, and probably then offered its more common name, if you were right, and if you weren't, you'd have learned something.
 
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Phil V said:
I've never heard of it, but that means nothing.

I'd have asked for a clarification, and probably then offered its more common name, if you were right, and if you weren't, you'd have learned something.
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Hi Phil, thanks for your time in replying. It was one of those discussions over a few beers !
 
chrispp said:
Hi Phil, thanks for your time in replying. It was one of those discussions over a few beers !
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I know what you mean, but a simple innocent 'what do yu mean by that?' would have opened it up
 
Phil V said:
I know what you mean, but a simple innocent 'what do yu mean by that?' would have opened it up
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Totally agree Phil, but it was one of those conversations where the main contributor was quite 'overbearing' I tend to sit back and listen. Tend to look on the forums for the answers. He's a know all who won't let other contribute. Shame really as he does take some decent photos
 
It seems to be a US saying, more than UK.
It refers to different aspects of lines within an image including 'rule of thirds'- not just leading lines.
Think about a picture of a window frame with 6 or 8 panels or the horizon.
 
kendo1 said:
It seems to be a US saying, more than UK.
It refers to different aspects of lines within an image including 'rule of thirds'- not just leading lines.
Think about a picture of a window frame with 6 or 8 panels or the horizon.
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Ahh thought as much, thanks for your reply.
Do you think a natural line is better eg. Tree, post or man made like a path. Suppose it depends on the subject as well
Think I would struggle with a portrait but can see in a landscape
 
chrispp said:
Ahh thought as much, thanks for your reply.
Do you think a natural line is better eg. Tree, post or man made like a path. Suppose it depends on the subject as well
Think I would struggle with a portrait but can see in a landscape
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It depends on the subject :), Though sometimes a juxtaposition (if that's the right word) of a tree in a cityscape or a manmade object in a landscape works.

Like this, maybe:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kendunton/14581248996/in/dateposted-public/
 
1st one is good, 2nd one I'm not sure about...
The water is in focus from the bottom of the pic. You've used f3.5 so very little depth of field even though you are using the 15-85 at the 15mm setting.
Hand held? Shutter speed is 1/20.
The distance to you focus point is 3.6m (from the exif data) so depth of field at f3.5 is very shallow.

A smaller aperture would have helped necessitating the use of a tripod.
 
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There are no 'rules'. If a pedant mentions such in passing, pay attention briefly for the reference, then in your own mind move on.

If you start adopting so-called 'rules', then you might find it hard to ignore them and be genuine and more free ...

Composition / framing should be at root intuitive, so intuition is what you need to cultivate. This may be done by lots of looking, coupled with a running review of what you're seeing - about how and why things work, in your own production and that of many others.

Every photograph is a conspiracy of light, focus, and framing (amongst other things) ...
 
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kendo1 said:
1st one is good, 2nd one I'm not sure about...
The water is in focus from the bottom of the pic. You've used f3.5 so very little depth of field even though you are using the 15-85 at the 15mm setting.
Hand held? Shutter speed is 1/20.
The distance to you focus point is 3.6m (from the exif data) so depth of field at f3.5 is very shallow.

A smaller aperture would have helped necessitating the use of a tripod.
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Ahh thanks for your feedback, appreciated. The first one was taken just before dark and I was trying to find the right place. Got there late.
The second one was a quick shot not thinking to be honest. What's your thoughts on the composition etc.

Thanks

Chris
 
First one is pretty good.
2nd one, there seems to be a lot going on- maybe too much :)
You have to think what the subject is and concentrate on it. Your eye (and brain) focuses on a subject but your camera doesn't know what you intend.
 
Both images are good, especially for 'quickies'. Not sure that I wouldn't tilt the first one anticlockwise a bit, &/or crop to centre the tower - there's scope to experiment. This isn't about complying with a notion of technical 'perfection', but about getting the best balance between the dynamism already there and a more settled overall resolution. Experiment - it's your pick.

The second one's pretty cool too - it's a good extraction from the wider scene, not too cluttered at all, and again the exposure's good (no blown highlights or other ills) - There's a dynamic balance in how the fountains slope in from the left & how the towers lean in from the right ...

In both cases you could tinker with how the tones are arranged between the black and white point extremities - think 'curves' if you have software to do this.
 
droj said:
Both images are good, especially for 'quickies'. Not sure that I wouldn't tilt the first one anticlockwise a bit, &/or crop to centre the tower - there's scope to experiment. This isn't about complying with a notion of technical 'perfection', but about getting the best balance between the dynamism already there and a more settled overall resolution. Experiment - it's your pick.

The second one's pretty cool too - it's a good extraction from the wider scene, not too cluttered at all, and again the exposure's good (no blown highlights or other ills) - There's a dynamic balance in how the fountains slope in from the left & how the towers lean in from the right ...

In both cases you could tinker with how the tones are arranged between the black and white point extremities - think 'curves' if you have software to do this.
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Thanks for the positive feedback really appreciated. I have some software, Adobe Cc suite and DXO Optics so
will have a play with that.

I must admit I went a little crazy snap happy as they say when I finally managed to get the wife out of the mall so I could take a few pics. I have some others which I'll post in a day or so, hopefully a little better

Thanks again for your comments

Chris
 
chrispp said:
Thanks for the positive feedback really appreciated. I have some software, Adobe Cc suite and DXO Optics so
will have a play with that.

I must admit I went a little crazy snap happy as they say when I finally managed to get the wife out of the mall so I could take a few pics. I have some others which I'll post in a day or so, hopefully a little better

Thanks again for your comments

Chris
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You have to consider how long it took you to learn to write or draw a picture...
And no, I'm not saying you are at the stick man stage!

All new endeavours take time to master, and some people have a bit more talent for some things.

You're not doing too bad :)
 
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kendo1 said:
You have to consider how long it took you to learn to write or draw a picture...
And no, I'm not saying you are at the stick man stage!

All new endeavours take time to master, and some people have a bit more talent for some things.

Your not doing too bad :)
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Really thanks for that, most appreciated. I get frustrated when I know what I want and the results are not what I anticipated. I research, practice, research and try my best. Swap kit, learn kit etc. I am passionate about my endeavours but feel worried about pisting my images if there rubbish. I always appreciate comments good or bad as it makes us all improve. When I think back years ago we never had such things as forums just chats over a few beers !

This forum is the best on the web in my opinion, the majority are always keen to help. I never want to be a Proffesional just enjoy my hobby and relish in my endeavours

Thanks again for your comments and help

Chris
 
I've said it before- I'm still learning after 40 years of snaps :)

and I'm still rubbish :cool:, but I enjoy it.
 
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