Week 7: Rule of Thirds (Re-do)

Week 7:  Rule of Thirds

12/10/2017 (Week 7)

Isyraf Zhong Ren Lim, (300 666 426)

Photography

Lecture:

Our lecture this week focused on composition and it's main rule that is the Rule of Thirds. The Rule of Thirds follows a 3x3 grid system in which the rule follows that subject is aligned on the points where the lines of the grid cross.With this grid in mind the "rule of thirds" now identifies four important parts of the image that we should consider placing points of interest in as you frame your image.Not only this it also gives you your four 'lines' A visual illustration can be found below:

The Rule of Thirds grid and points of intersection

Following this rule puts our subject one third away from the center. This means that our subject is not in the middle. What this does is create a more visually and aesthetically pleasing image to the eye. A similar rule also applies when taking a picture of sceneries. To capture landscape pictures, we would often place the subject on either one third of the top half or two thirds of the bottom or vice versa. We also learned during the lecture that the Rule of Thirds also applies when there is more than one subject. For two subjects, one subject would be on one of the thirds, while the other subject would be on the opposite point. A similar principle is applied when the number of subjects is multiplied. What I also found interesting in the lecture was that when there are multiple subjects in a picture, what one person perceives to be the main subjects would differ from what another perceives. 

Different applications of Rule of Thirds

Different application of rule of thirds

Counterpoint

What it means, is that by placing the image's primary focal point at the thirds position, you can place a secondary focal point at the diagonally opposite thirds position. Say what? In looking at the grid up above, imagine it over an image and you'll see the intersection points of the lines. These are the focal points. Again, in the image of the kayaker , his eye and his paddle follow the counterpoint in an upper right and lower left slide.

Triangular Composition

3 points of interest △ which has interaction to each other in a picture.

Multiple POI

The first point of interest has to link to second point of interest and it continues.Several points of interest need a prioritization of each subject’s importance to the photograph. You’ll need to consider which subjects will be in the foreground and which will remain in the background. Where you place those subjects on your rule of thirds grid will either underline or discount their significance.

Rule of Thirds Examples

Rule of Thirds Example: Landscapes

When taking a picture of a landscape, it’s natural to want to center the horizon in the frame. However, pictures often look better if the horizon falls on the upper or lower horizontal dividing line. If the focus of your image is on land (i.e. mountains, buildings), the horizon should fall near the upper third and if the focus is the sky (i.e. sunsets, sunrises), the horizon should fall near the lower third.

Here is an example of the rule of thirds for a landscape photo. The focus is on the land area rather than the sky so the bottom two-thirds of the photograph are filled with land and the top third is sky.

Rule of Thirds Example: Portraits

Here is an example of a rule of thirds portrait. As you can see, the eyes are lined up with the upper horizontal line and each eye is where the upper horizontal line intersects with a vertical line.

Instructions (Exercise 4a: Rule of Thirds)

Capture 3 images adhering to the Rule of Thirds:

Using 1 person

Using 3 persons

Using a scenery

When placing the image in your blog and your MS Word document; (see image) place one image with the Rule of Third lines visible and another without the lines side by side - left and right each other.

Put to use what you have learnt in the Zone System exercise here.

Your results must show evidence of knowledge and ability to use the Rule of Two-Third under the prescribed circumstances. Evidence of composition enhanced by proportional cropping is acceptable in order to heighten the dynamism or intensity of the picture. Students must showcase their knowledge on exposure using the zone system.

This is not a technical exercise, merely fulfilling the rule of thirds theory without capturing a well composed image with a strong point of interest would not considered successful. You must capture a beautiful image by adhering to the rule of thirds.

Using 1 person

1.

ISO : 400

Aperture : f16

Shutterspeed : 1/250

 2.

ISO : 400

Aperture : f16

Shutterspeed : 1/250

3.

ISO : 400

Aperture : f16

Shutterspeed : 1/250

(me)

1.

ISO

ISO : 400

Aperture : f16

Shutterspeed : 1/250

: 1

2.

ISO

ISO : 400

Aperture : f16

Shutterspeed : 1/250

3.

ISO : 800

Aperture : f8

Shutterspeed : 1/60

4.

ISO

ISO : 200

Aperture : f4

Shutterspeed : 1/1200

5.

ISO

ISO : 400

Aperture : f5.6

Shutterspeed : 1/1200

Using 3 people.

1.

ISO : 800

Aperture : f5.6

Shutterspeed : 1/800

2.

ISO : 400

Aperture : f5.6

Shutterspeed : 1/250

3.

ISO : 400

Aperture : f5.6

Shutterspeed : 1/1200

4.

ISO : 400

Aperture : f5.6

Shutterspeed : 1/200

5.

ISO : 400

Aperture : f5.6

Shutterspeed : 1/250

Using Landscape

1.

ISO : 800

Aperture : f18

Shutterspeed : 1/200

2.

ISO : 800

Aperture : f18

Shutterspeed : 1/200

3.

ISO : 400

Aperture : f8

Shutterspeed : 1/200

4.

ISO : 300

Aperture : f6

Shutterspeed : 1/400

Feedback:

Reflections :

Experience

Taking shots outdoors is really awkward and uncomfortable. 

Observation

People like staring at the camera, I find that really interesting. Some of them might even try to get into the frame.

Findings
Its not easy taking pictures when in an uncomfortable state.

Feedback
Sir said that the view shots were good and I wasnt allowed to use my own pictures.