Rule of Thirds?

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MrKiwi27

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Kieran
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Hey,
I'm new here and I was wondering about this image:
G:\Kieran's Stuff\Pictures\- Photography\Canon EOS 1100D\Paris 2013\Enhanced.JPG
I went on a school trip to Paris last week. As I wasn't allowed to take my Canon EOS 1100D, I took my Uncle's Samsung ES90 Point and Shoot camera. I took this photo from the top of the Eiffel Tower. After some colour correction and perspective transformation (to centralize and to make the middle path vertical), I got that image.^
I was wondering that even though, I broke the Rule of Thirds, if the composition was strong due to the symmetry of the landscape.
Am I right? :thinking:
 
You can't just link to files on your computer, you need to upload them to a website like Flickr or photobucket and link to them for us to be able to see them.
 
There are no rules, only guidelines.

Take any 'rule' and there will be a million amazing pictures that break it. Also, there are so many so-called rules that it's always possible to find that fits a great picture.
 
I must admit, seeing a local file linked on a forum has made me smile and giggle a bit ;) But we have all been there at some point!

I look forward to seeing your picture :thumbs:
 
Yes all rules can be broken but the rule of thirds is a pretty good guideline. Take a picture that doesn't fit the rule in any way, crop it to fit the rule of thirds and the amended one will look better 9 times out of ten.
 
Would it be an idea to regard these "rules" as starting points for experimentation? What I mean is that you could follow the rule at first and then see if deviating from it improves things.
 
The biggest problem with the Rule of Thirds IMO is that somebody decided to refer to it as a "rule" :lol:. It just seems to bring out the rebel in people who want to "break the rule" for the sake of doing it.

The fact is that because of the way the human brain perceives images, photos (or any artwork) making use of thirds is naturally pleasing to us and our eyes are drawn to parts of an image that reside on thirds . . . so in the majority of cases it works.
We obviously can't see the picture in the OP, but Kieran refers to symmetry in his post - symmetry is one of those occasions where a central composition around a central vertical / horizontal axis tends to work better than using thirds, so I'd be willing to bet that when we see that photo the composition will work.

DrGed said:
Would it be an idea to regard these "rules" as starting points for experimentation? What I mean is that you could follow the rule at first and then see if deviating from it improves things.
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And absolutely, if you understand about thirds and why they work for us, you can then start making conscious decisions to move away from them to create an intentional effect or impact in an image.
If you're really interested do some reading on the golden spiral and fibonacci sequences.


BTW Kieran, if you don't have Flickr or PhotoBucket etc, we have some gallery space on the forum that you can use to upload to (instructions at that link)
 
If you're really interested do some reading on the golden spiral and fibonacci sequences.
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I'd start with the Fibonacci series : spirals are a different kettle of fish altogether.
 
HoppyUK said:
But a guideline is not the same as a rule.
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you're talking

they are exactly the same thing


it's people who don't like the word rule use weasel words like guideline
 
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As a rule a guideline is...as a rule,,,

I agree with Sarah, just cos we call it a rule some rebel and are so much against it. But rules or guidelines in photography are normally good, and yes they can be broken/avoided and still a good image is achieved....but not always a better one, but maybe sometimes, on the odd occaission...A killer!!


A note to Simon(mortimerhill) Whilst I may agree with you (and dis-agree with Hoppy) that guideline and (as a )rule are the same, IMHO, telling a helpful member of TP is talking is un acceptababe and I think it would be respectful if you apologise.
 
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I must add that Richard is just probably the most helpful guy around in the Talk Basics sectoin. I don't know him personally and this is not some cliquey thing. He just knows his stuff and passes on his knowledge of which many are grateful.
 
Thanks Zulfi, but no worries. It may be one of those Saturday night posts ;)

And at least we're in good company, since Douglas Bader seems to be just as mixed up :)
 
There's a huge difference between rule and guideline. For those who disagree, please check the OED. The important bit isn't the definition but the context.

I wouldn't class "The Rule of Thirds" as a proper rule but it has a catchy name. As a novice, I've found it to be immensely useful. As others have stated, you need to understand it before you can "break" it. It is entirely useful for beginners but once you've progressed, you'll barely think about process of taking a photo. A bit like driving a car. At the beginning, you struggle with the clutch/gearbox (the "technical" side) and later they become automatic and you learn to concentrate on the road and plan your actions (the "artistic" side).
 
Putting aside the OED, I found this on line quite easily, which y'all may dismiss but you can see why some of us think this way. ;)

guideline - a rule or principle that provides guidance to appropriate behavior
guidepost, rule of thumb

rule, regulation - a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior; "it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast";
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Rule of Thumb is a good example, IMHO ,as a guideline.
 
I think the definition you should be looking up is pedantry :)

Guidelines, rules, best practice whatever - compositionally there are reasons why things just look better based on how the brain sees the picture and having things set out into thirds just looks better (generally)

Oh, and I don't play by anyones rules (pulls up collar on leather jacket and skulks off into distance)
 
SarahLee said:
BTW guys, can we all please take the age of the OP into account here (he was on a school trip) and keep responses appropriate and on topic for him?

Thanks,
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Hear,Hear.


.....and now they will fight about whether its "Hear,Hear" or "Here,Here" lol
 
Hi Kieran,

Welcome back, and don't worry about the file link - you're not the first to have done that and you won't be the last :)

Looking at that image, I personally think that the composition is extremely strong.
Going for a central vertical axis for the symmetry to hang off was IMO absolutely the right choice.

I wouldn't say that you've completely ignored the "rule of thirds" though.
If you split that image into horizontal thirds, you'll see that instinctively you've framed it so that there are two strong horizontal pathways on or very close to those lines - which complements the vertical symmetry and adds up to it feeling like a very strong and balanced composition.

I'd give it just a little anti-clockwise rotation so that those horizontal paths are level.
 
Agree with Sarah, its a nice composition that is just ever so slightly skewed. Nice image from a little P&S btw and the first shot of the Tower in your Flickr (boats in foreground) is really nice too. Keep it up.
 
As I see it, symmetry is something you only encounter occassionally and when you do you can exploit it, as you have done. And, like Sarah says, you've done it well.
 
To prove the point of thirds, to me if would look better if the horizontal road across the bottom was nearer to the third as it looks too low and out of balance.
 
ernesto said:
To prove the point of thirds, to me if would look better if the horizontal road across the bottom was nearer to the third as it looks too low and out of balance.
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Technically you are correct but it would have to have been done at the time. To crop it now in order to accommodate that you would lose the faux horizon created by the distant haze and i think the pic would lose its perspective if that was lost. (for me anyway)
 
Thanks guys, I will rotate it left slightly and see what it looks like. Thanks for the advice and for the encouragement :D
 
SarahLee said:
BTW guys, can we all please take the age of the OP into account here (he was on a school trip) and keep responses appropriate and on topic for him?

Thanks,
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I say! That is a bit presumptuous on your part Sarah! He could be the TEACHER!:lol:

>"Mummy, I dont want to have to go to school today! Please dont make me go!2
<"Now Malcom; I know the big-boys pick on you, but you wont solve your problems by running away from them..... and besides.... your forty six and the head-master!... now eat your cornflakes and get going!"
 
Teflon-Mike said:
I say! That is a bit presumptuous on your part Sarah! He could be the TEACHER!:lol:

>"Mummy, I dont want to have to go to school today! Please dont make me go!2
<"Now Malcom; I know the big-boys pick on you, but you wont solve your problems by running away from them..... and besides.... your forty six and the head-master!... now eat your cornflakes and get going!"
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:lol: Fair point . . .





. . . but remember that I can also check registration information . . .
. . . and the public profile data is there now for all to see :razz:
 
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