THe Lazy Rules of Thirds

[AcadieLibre]

An interesting read and thought provoking. Composition I always found something that works based on the elements I am shooting rather than the staid rule of thirds that seems to be forced down photographers throats from the moment they start taking photos. Anyway here is another perspective on the the lazy rule of thirds, like to know others take on it.


The Lazy Rule of Thirds | Jake Garn Photography

[JAS_Photo]

That blog certainly drives the point home in a simple to understand and dramatic way. I suppose because it (the golden mean) exists in nature and we see it all the time it is innate and we unconsciously see it, understand it and without having to put it in thoughts find it appealing.

Here is a little youtube video on the subject as well.

YouTube - The golden mean

[Mad Aussie]

While I agree that no one should always use it, or feel that if they don't their photo might not be good, I do strongly disagree with the people that say the Rule of Thirds is a sham or not worth knowing etc.

I also tend to compose according to the elements I want in my photo AND the elements I don't. However, sometimes I simply use the Rule of Thirds because I think it works well.

When someone is a newbie to photography I consider the Rule of Thirds to be a great guide for them. Once they learn more and become confident they soon develop their own feel and know when they need to use or not.

I do not consider the rule to be lazy just because it's a 'simplified' version of the golden mean. It still works in my opinion. Which is not to say that the Golden Mean won't work better in some situations.

[Mad Aussie]

The Golden Mean vid is interesting.

[Iguanasan]

While I have heard much about the golden ratio and agree with much of the blog post I have to say that it's a lot easier to line up on thirds. That doesn't mean I would call it lazy. You can do it mentally without an overlay. I don't know about the rest of you but I'm reasonably certain I would have a hard time overlaying the golden ratio spiral over the image in the viewfinder in my head. Practicality insists that you simplify it unless someone knows how you can get one of these overlays to exist in a Canon XSi and let you flip it around based on your composition

[Marko]

While I agree that no one should always use it, or feel that if they don't their photo might not be good, I do strongly disagree with the people that say the Rule of Thirds is a sham or not worth knowing etc.

I hate to say this but people that say it's a sham should get out of photography...or go to a friggen museum, look at all the wonderful paintings, study the composition, and THEN get back into photography.,,,apply the rule of thirds to the majority of their work and watch their previously lower quality work increase in quality.

People love to bash things they don't fully understand, sometimes just to sound cool.

[AcadieLibre]

Thanks Jas interesting video. I find that composition after time is something (some) photographers can do without actually thinking about it. Composition is a very odd subject because we all compose our photos to what we believe will give us the best result whether they follow rules or not. Rules are nice to learn to but as in previous discussions it is better to know the rules before you break them. I frame the photo for the best image and if it happens to follow any rules fine, if not thats fine also. I doubt I use the thirds often at all but that does not mean it is a bad thing it is just how I shoot.

[Marko]

If memory serves A.L., at least 2/3 of the photos i saw from you the other day use the rule of thirds....I know I use the rule often and fairly unconsciously.

[Mad Aussie]

I find that composition after time is something (some) photographers can do without actually thinking about it. Composition is a very odd subject because we all compose our photos to what we believe will give us the best result whether they follow rules or not. Rules are nice to learn to but as in previous discussions it is better to know the rules before you break them. I frame the photo for the best image and if it happens to follow any rules fine, if not thats fine also.