ASSIGNMENT 38

Rule of Thirds

ASSIGNMENT

It would be hard to overuse the rule of thirds; it’s been used in art for centuries. Actually, according to many art historians, the concept dates back to the 18th century when it was introduced as a compositional rule (I’m quite certain that it is much older than that). My question for you today is: Do you always use the rule of thirds with intent? Or do you use it as a rule that should be broken?

Go out and photograph a subject by applying the rule of thirds with intent. Imagine the resulting image being the epitome of the rule of thirds.

TECHNIQUE

Imagine a grid that divides your frame into three equal parts vertically and horizontally (you can actually add that function via the menu in most cameras if you wish). The four points where the lines intersect represent the points that the eye tends to look at most often. Now, make a point to position your subject in one of the four intersections. It works! From a compositional perspective, it makes for an aesthetically pleasing image.

The Family / Normandy, France, 2018

Fujifilm X100F, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/280 sec., ISO 200