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10/21/2002 10:31:14 AM · #1 |
The thing about art (which photography is) is that there are no rules. And if there are then you break them in an effort to get attention. I am not saying that always wors but it's what artists do.
I have several times well ok, the two times I submitted a picture happened to decide on ones that didn't obey the rules of thirds, indeed most of my photos do obey it, but not all by a long shot. I take a photo depending on how it looks best, and some don't look good in thirds. The Thirds Rule is perfect for magazine covers where they want space for the title and such forth, but even they don't obey it all the time.
So what I am saying is, just because you read something somewhere about riule of thirds, doesn't mean when you see a photo that doesn't abide strictly to it's guidelines set down, doesn't make it a bad photo. :)
Giles |
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10/21/2002 10:34:34 AM · #2 |
I think it would be better to call it a "guideline" instead of a "rule." I tend to agree that there should be no "rules" when it comes to artistic renderings, but there are "guidelines" that make things more visually appealing most of the time.
The Rule (er... "Guideline") of Thirds happens to be one that really does tend to make shots more interesting most of the time... as opposed to perfectly centering subjects, etc. |
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10/21/2002 10:49:16 AM · #3 |
We need to remember the 'why' behind the rules before we can know how to break them. When I was in college I constantly saw students, often me as well, trying to do crazy things and purposely breaking the rules before they really knew what they were doing. I'm not saying it can't work but it presents more of a guessing game to your images. When you understand the rules you will understand that there are real, legitimate reasons why they work and in what circumstances. You will then have a greater understanding of when a more creative approach is preferable.
T
* This message has been edited by the author on 10/21/2002 2:47:39 PM.
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10/21/2002 10:53:16 AM · #4 |
and of course, there are situations where you can't help but center an image due to the natural composition of it.
There are ways around it, but sometimes you have to go with the flow.
Shame that Guidelines of thirds wouldn't have sold many books !
and I agree it does often make an image more visually appealing. |
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10/21/2002 11:02:24 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by digitallywet:
...and of course, there are situations where you can't help but center an image due to the natural composition of it...and I agree it does often make an image more visually appealing.
Hmmm...apparently not in the case of my current entry...:) |
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10/21/2002 11:15:03 AM · #6 |
I feel that you should learn all you can about the rules and guides so that when you go to photograph something you are armed with that knowledge and hopefully it is more of a subconcious thing so you are not specifically thinking about it. All that should matter is that you are trying to convey your idea or show off your subject in the best way possible. It is not about approaching a shot with a preconceived method about how it ought to be shot. Even with a familiar subject it is best to see it as fresh and new because the lighting and coloring may be very different then what you expected, and it's the light that we are really photographing.
T
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10/21/2002 11:29:23 AM · #7 |
'Rules' of photography or art of any kind are definitely nothing more than guidelines. You don't have to follow ANY guidelines whatsoever :) They are there for a reason though, as discussed in this thread. If you know what they are and how to use them to improve your photos, breaking the 'guidelines' is definitely ok. When *I* break a 'guideline' I usually have some reason for doing it. I don't just do it in the name of 'art'. :)
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10/21/2002 12:24:03 PM · #8 |
The only rule of photography is: You need to take the lens cap off before you take a picture.
* This message has been edited by the author on 10/22/2002 12:08:53 AM. |
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10/21/2002 12:57:48 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Zeissman:
The only rule of photography is: You need to take the lens cap before you take a picture.
You need to take the Lens cap where ? out to dinner ??
he he .. i crack myself up ! |
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10/21/2002 06:53:20 PM · #10 |
The reason we have concepts like 'The Rule of Thirds' is so we, as artists, have a language to describe and critique each others' work. It's not a law, like gravity, or a theory, like natural selection, but a convenient piece of jargon that gives us a way to express our subjective opinions in a commonly understood manner.
When someone says 'Good use of The Rule of Thirds!' they don't mean you get a gold star for doing it the 'right way', they undoubtably mean that to them your picture feels comfortable and attractive because the weight of the subject happens to conform to the general aesthetic appeal described by The Rule of Thirds. When they say you aren't using The Rule of Thirds, what they probably mean is that they think your picture sucks because it doesn't feel balanced, and that it would perhaps benefit if it were moved to a location as described in the 'rule'.
Rules aren't things to blindly follow, or break to get attention, rules are simply words in a language we can use to describe our work, by relating it to a known quantity, the rule.
So stop whining. :)
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10/21/2002 08:13:01 PM · #11 |
The reason we have the rules, it because certain proportions are pleasing to the human brain. It does not describe what must be done, but what most find to be pleasing.
Originally posted by Mousie:
The reason we have concepts like 'The Rule of Thirds' is so we, as artists, have a language to describe and critique each others' work. It's not a law, like gravity, or a theory, like natural selection, but a convenient piece of jargon that gives us a way to express our subjective opinions in a commonly understood manner.
When someone says 'Good use of The Rule of Thirds!' they don't mean you get a gold star for doing it the 'right way', they undoubtably mean that to them your picture feels comfortable and attractive because the weight of the subject happens to conform to the general aesthetic appeal described by The Rule of Thirds. When they say you aren't using The Rule of Thirds, what they probably mean is that they think your picture sucks because it doesn't feel balanced, and that it would perhaps benefit if it were moved to a location as described in the 'rule'.
Rules aren't things to blindly follow, or break to get attention, rules are simply words in a language we can use to describe our work, by relating it to a known quantity, the rule.
So stop whining. :)
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10/21/2002 10:20:17 PM · #12 |
| There really is a natural rythmn that a division of 3 expresses quite well. Like 3/4 time in music. But then there are other rythmns far more interesting than a common waltz. It is very important for a thinking artist to be able to keep time with his subject, but the time he keeps is in his heart, not in some "rule of thirds." |
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