Dismissing the Old-Fashioned Rule of Thirds
Don’t dis all photographic “standards.” Why ignore a powerful rule of composition that makes photographs more interesting and dynamic? This rule should always be in your mind while blocking or cropping a photo—even if you decide to break it. The Rule of Thirds may be as old as the hills, but it’s still extremely viable and in no danger of going out of vogue.
This is so ho-hum. Consider your end product. Does the customer only want an 8×10-inch print for their desk? If that’s the case, you are pretty much stuck with creating a middle-of-the-frame subject without much room for creativity. Want to seller bigger prints? When you capture a lot of real estate in the frame, the images practically cry out, “Print me large!”
The young man remains the center of interest in this composition, which incorporates a strong interpretation of the Rule of Thirds.
Off-center subjects in a grand scene are extremely interesting—and also the current hot item in creative photographic design. This beautiful wedding image is by Scott Nelson.