We all obviously know how to take a picture – point camera, press button – but there is a lot that goes into getting that *perfect* shot. Obviously, a lot of things have to align perfectly, like lighting, subject, etc, but there are things that ARE in our control. The way we put the photo together, or its composition, is completely in our control. The easiest way to have dynamic and interesting photos is to follow the rule of thirds.
The rule of thirds is a compositional trick that helps photographers figure out the best place to put the subject in the frame. You’re like, “yeah, but HOW?” Imagine your photo viewfinder has two lines running horizontally and two lines running vertically, creating different sections of your picture, like a tic tac toe board:
Those lines should act like a guide to help you line up the points of interest in your shot. Here is one of my examples:
The horizon and the trees are in the bottom third of the photograph. The largest tree is right where two lines intersect.
Here is another example:
The little boy is the main focus of my shot, and he is close to where the two lines intersect in the bottom right. The words to Lincoln’s famous speech are directly in the middle third of the shot. Placing the little boy right in the middle of the frame would have been OK, but not nearly as appealing to look at.
When I first learned the rule of thirds, I had to remind myself constantly to recompose my shots. But like anything else, with practice it has become second nature, and I don’t even realize I’m doing it anymore.
So, this week, everyone go out and practice the rule of thirds. Then, share!!! Upload them to the TSAM Photo Fun Flickr group so we can compliment and learn from each other (If you don’t have a flickr account, just link to your photos in the comments). Last week the photos were awesome, I can’t wait to see what everyone can do this week.
Nanette says:
Some (most? all, maybe?) DSLRs (and maybe even point-and-shoots) have an option where you can turn an actual grid on in your viewfinder. I took a pic w/ my friend’s DSLR at BlogHer, and she leaves her grid on all the time. Don’t know if that gets in the way as you try to compose the shot, but I thought it was an interesting tool!
Arezu says:
I leave my grid on all the time too… I find that it doesn’t get in the way, I actually forget it’s there (which I guess kind of defeats the purpose).
My camera’s getting fixed this week, but I didn’t want to be left out, so I uploaded a couple of my old shots that used the rule of thirds.
Love seeing the photo fun!
Kirsten says:
I shared a couple of my pics. Following the Rule of Thirds has so helped my photos… although there are some times when you just don’t follow it LOL
MamaCas says:
http://mamacasphotos.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-beautiful-north-dakotapart-4.html
The 3rd picture would be the one I’m “submitting”. I’m a bit computer illiterate, so I don’t know of any other way to link the picture in my comments. Sorry!
feefifoto says:
Wow — thanks. But how do you know where to place the subject in the grid? For example, how do you know that the boy is best placed in the lower right section?
Heather says:
Practice helps! It also really depends on where you are in relation to where what you’re photographing is. For example, I couldn’t have put the boy in the bottom left of my photograph because then you wouldn’t have seen the speech. My angle on the two elements I wanted to include really dictated a lot of the composition. One thing I do a lot of is take multiple shots, moving the subject around in the frame. When I go back to look at my pictures, I see what worked and what didn’t. Experimenting is key!
eva says:
i love photography and love that your posting tips for us i took a mommy and baby photography class a couple months ago and it was such a learning experience.. i look forward stealing your knowledge and putting it into practice hehe
Damaris says:
Thanks for the tip Heather. I’ve never thought about setting up my rrame this way.
OHmommy says:
I entered. I’m a big fan of rule of thirds and also believe that it can apply to colors.
Becca @ One Girl says:
Thanks for the great tip! I am always looking to improve my photography skills. Thanks again!
Kristin says:
Thanks for the tip. I had learned it way back when and had forgotten about it.
Laurie says:
http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/08/24/2532.jpg
adena says:
I have never once used a grid to take photos…I guess I never thought about it that way. I just lay out things in my head when I look at them. My mind works in pictures that way. But, I thought either the first picture in this group would work for this, or even the ACTUAL tic-tac-toe one (4th one down.)
http://ealaiontaphoto.blogspot.com/2010/05/black-and-white.html
Elise says:
Thank you for this little lesson. I love that you’re sharing photography tips and ideas with us!
anne weiss says:
I didn’t exactly understand the rule, though, sorry to be so dense! Is there a rule about HOW you use the grid, like, always put things where lines intersect? always put things in a row? Or, are you just saying that one should look at the shot in terms of the grid and that helps compose it?
TJ McDowell says:
Anne,
I was confused by this for a long time too. Basically, according to the rule of thirds, you need to put something of interest at the intersecting lines.
brooke says:
My camera has that grid and I have never used it… This could really turn things around for me! But seriously I think I’ll give it a try…
Beth says:
Hi Heather,
I’ve been reading your blog for about a year now. It’s probably a little weird that the frequency with which I mentioned what was going on in your life prompted my husband to ask, “Wait. How do you know this girl?”
Anyway, I’ve been LOVING your photo advice. I’m no photographer, and I never will be. Nor do I want to be. But I am the unofficial photographer of my family (meaning that if I don’t pick up the camera nobody will), and I think that you are helping me be better at that.
So, if you are taking requests, I’d like to request tips on photographing children/babies.
And thanks for sharing your family with me.
Adrianne says:
I’m loving this new section of your blog! Thanks for doing this. I’ve really been getting into photography myself lately, so this is really helpful!
Meghan says:
Love the photography tips! I take awful pictures, and this is useful stuff for my cheapo point and shoot camera.
Missy says:
Love you new photography section of your blog! I’m the photographer of the family, and I LOVE the tips. I have some older pictures that I think might fit into this challenge… but I don’t have a fliker account and I don’t know how to link them in the comments… I know, I’m stupid.
Jessica says:
I am also loving this new section of your blog. I bought a new nikon d300 dslr Monday and I am loving that I can learn tips through your blog about becoming a better photographer. Thank you
Sherry Lane(memorylane815) says:
Great examples, this is so fun! Thanks Heather!
Sarah says:
The grid function on the camera is handy, but it gets in my way while actually taking pictures. I more just think about the composition and move the camera – but I always do that with the rule of thirds in mind. It makes such a difference in the picture.
It’s actually been more of a learning experience to sit here and go through all my pictures and draw imaginary grids on them, seeing if I did well with the rule.
I uploaded two photos to the group (sarahlee10) – I’ve had flickr for a while but haven’t sat down to add any photos until now. It’s showing up, so I hope I did it right!
Mandy says:
Hi! I submitted two photos! I love this fun thing, please keep it up!
I am an educated, amateur hobbyist/mama-razzi!! and really want to improve
kristen says:
Hi Heather,
Christmas is coming and I am asking Santa for a new camera. I have a Nikon D40 SLR. Any suggestions??
Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving! Loved Annie’s Friday video.
Thanks,
Kristen