CEE’S COMPOSE YOURSELF PHOTO CHALLENGE: WEEK #11 CENTERPOINT – BREAKING THE RULE OF THIRDS
From Cee:
This week’s CCY Theme is Centerpoint – Breaking the Rule of Thirds. For this assignment I would like to see at least 4-6 photos of photos taken with the center of your photo being the location of your main subject.
When is a rule not a rule?
I’m not a very good follower of rules. I think rigid adherence to rules — in art or in life — stifles creativity. Thus, although I understand the guidelines, I don’t think about them while I’m shooting. I look in the viewfinder or screen . When I see something that pleases me, I shoot. No matter where it falls in the picture.
The rule of thirds is a useful guideline — especially during editing — but it is by no means a law that must always be followed. Many pictures fall naturally into thirds. If you have to force it, the rule probably doesn’t … or shouldn’t … apply.
As Cee showed in her examples, just because you can crop and force a photograph to fit “the rule,” it doesn’t mean the result will be satisfying. Know when to follow your own eye and instinct.
Macros often work out best place in the middle of the frame, at least in part because of the way macro lenses focus. When you are shooting very tight and close, you often don’t have much choice in where you put your subject. Or, more to the point, you may want your picture on the left, but your camera may have its own idea. I do not argue with my lenses because I always lose.
When you fill your frame completely, the subject tends to be in the middle by default.
The above picture is centered … but it’s also on a diagonal. It’s not always a simple choice.
The most important lesson to learn is that rules are not rigid or mandatory. They are meant to be broken. Understanding why rules exist is dandy, but don’t follow blindly. Use your eyes, your heart, and your vision.
It’s rule breakers who are remembered as great artists.
Share this:
Categories: #Photography, Composition
TWO EFFANBEE (F&B) DOLL CO. COMPOSITION GIRLS 
A BEAUTIFUL COMPOSITION DOLL FROM ARRANBEE (R&B) DOLL COMPANY 
ANA MCGUFFEY – EARLY MME. ALEXANDER COMPOSITION DOLL 
ONE-TO-THREE WAY PHOTO CHALLENGE 
SERENDIPITY - SEEKING INTELLIGENT LIFE ON EARTH 
The first photo is simply incredible. Should be hanging somewhere people can admire it.
LikeLike
I have a picture of the same scene, taken in October rather than November. It’s hanging at the top of my stairs. I had it printed on canvas and framed it myself 🙂
LikeLike
I agree. I always go with what I see in the view finder. Although I talk a lot about the rule of thirds to my Social Snappers group there are times when it is more pleasing to be dead centre. I knew you would have stunning photos for this week.
LikeLike
If I was thinking about rules, I would never take any pictures. I’m very slow already and miss a lot of shots because I’m trying to frame it just right. If I got any slower, the sun would sink before my finger made it to the shutter 🙂 There has to be a point when your eye takes over and your brain and the rules go “off.”
LikeLike
That house with the red door is absolutely amazing. Wonderful entry Marilyn. 😀
LikeLike
Thanks Cee. It’s a very tiny, historic church in Amherst. Very small, no bigger than my living room, and set in the woods off the road. It’s a special place.
LikeLike
if it works … it works.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or, the Murphy’s Law Corollary: “If it doesn’t fit, get a bigger hammer.”
LikeLike
Always my motto.
LikeLike
It really makes you focus on the subject.
Leslie
LikeLike
I think the bigger problem is when there really isn’t a subject exactly. When, for example, it’s pictures of a garden and it’s more color and design without a central image. Or larger groups of people, not all grouped together. Pictures where there is more than a single subject … sometimes two or three. Sometimes, it’s that the background is too busy or the picture is overly ambitious in trying to depict too much. It isn’t always clear cut, figuring out what or where the main subject is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That certainly can happen.
Leslie
LikeLike
the beauty of a sleeping dog, love it. I am glad you said you are a breaker of rules- I too like things centered in the middle, and now feel better about doing it!
LikeLike
It really depends on what I’m trying to do with the picture. I center pictures when that feels/looks best, but not all the time. I do a lot of shooting using a strong diagonal, too … and that alters the balance of a picture.
LikeLike
Rules are to be broken.. liked your thinking..:)
LikeLike
That’s an ancient platitude. Probably invented by someone who hated following rules 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂
LikeLike
Bodges? We don’t need no stinkin’ bodges!
LikeLike