The Rule of Thirds
The most fundamental rule of photography composition is the Rule of Thirds. The basic idea is that if you divide the picture frame in to three equal parts both horizontally and vertically, it creates four intersections. If you place the main subject at one of the intersections instead of in the center of the frame you will create a much more dynamic composition. When shooting landscape, portraits or action shots outside the placement of the horizon line should also follow the rule of thirds as well to avoid splitting the picture in half.
1. Vocabulary
For this vocabulary exercise you will be breaking into groups of 5. Each student will be selecting on of the following terms to create a Verbal Visual Word Association(VVWA).
- Rule of Thirds
- Design Principles
- Negative space
- Movement
- Golden ratio
2. Exploring the Rule of Thirds
Go to the following website to learn more about the Rule of Thirds and answer the questions on your weebly site.
http://digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds/
1. Why do you think it is a good idea to understand a rule prior to breaking it?
2. When applying the Rule of Thirds, how many sections do you create? how many intersections?
3. Why does placing the subject at the intersection or along a line feel more natural to the viewer?
4. When photographing a landscape, where should the horizon line be placed?
5. What are two questions you might want to consider when composing an image?
http://digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds/
1. Why do you think it is a good idea to understand a rule prior to breaking it?
2. When applying the Rule of Thirds, how many sections do you create? how many intersections?
3. Why does placing the subject at the intersection or along a line feel more natural to the viewer?
4. When photographing a landscape, where should the horizon line be placed?
5. What are two questions you might want to consider when composing an image?
3. Inspiration Gallery
Create an inspiration gallery of image that have used the Rule of Thirds to place the subject out of the center of the frame. Find 10 images that you like, but that does not have the grid overlaid on the image.
Go to one of the following websites to find images that use the Rule of Thirds:
Download the following image to use in Photoshop to overlay over your chosen inspiration image. Save both the original and the grid image as .jpg. Then upload both images to a slideshow on your website.
Go to one of the following websites to find images that use the Rule of Thirds:
- Reuters - Use the right arrow to navigate.
- National Geographic Photo of the Day - Use the previous day button in the top left to browse back in time. Look in other photo galleries as well.
- CNN 25 photos of the week- look for images that use lines.
- This is colossal Photography blog - Scroll through the posts, select photos that use lines.
Download the following image to use in Photoshop to overlay over your chosen inspiration image. Save both the original and the grid image as .jpg. Then upload both images to a slideshow on your website.
How to Apply the Rule of Thirds Grid to Your Inspiration Gallery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15eCIB55PFk&t=14s
4. The Rule of Thirds Shooting Assignment
- Applying the Rule of Thirds - Practice makes Perfect. Go out and take 30 images that use the Rule of thirds. 10 in full sun, 10 in shade and 10 inside the classroom. Be creative, try interesting points of views, and move in close. But make sure to place the subject at one of the Rule of Thirds intersections.