Rules of Composition
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Rules of Composition
Rule of Thirds or Golden Ratio
So, the first "golden" rule is the "Rule of Thirds" or "Golden Ratio". It affects the ratio (1:1.61
of a picture size, as well as the placement of the main subjects in the photo. This ratio is close to the 35mm ratio, so you don't need to change the size of the photo in most cases. But you need to consider the composition: main subject should lie on one of the four lines or four intersections (subject's eye for example). Truthfully speaking, these rules are not always the same. Rule of Thirds is a simplified version of the Golden Mean.
Golden Triangles
Another rule is the "Golden Triangles". It's more convenient for photos with diagonal lines. There are three triangles with corresponding shapes. Just roughly place three subjects with approximate equal sizes in these triangles and this rule will be kept.
Golden Spiral or Golden Rectangle
And one more rule is a "Golden Spiral" or "Golden Rectangle" (you'll see why it's a rectangle in the tools section). There should be something, leading the eye to the center of the composition. It could be a line or several subjects. This "something" could just be there without leading the eyes, but it will fulfill its purpose anyway.
Golden Mean
A whole bunch of old Greek mathy jazz that I don't feel like explaining, so just look at examples.
REMEMBER: These are not actual rules, but guidlines. If it doesn't look right to your eye, don't do it.
So, the first "golden" rule is the "Rule of Thirds" or "Golden Ratio". It affects the ratio (1:1.61
of a picture size, as well as the placement of the main subjects in the photo. This ratio is close to the 35mm ratio, so you don't need to change the size of the photo in most cases. But you need to consider the composition: main subject should lie on one of the four lines or four intersections (subject's eye for example). Truthfully speaking, these rules are not always the same. Rule of Thirds is a simplified version of the Golden Mean.Golden Triangles
Another rule is the "Golden Triangles". It's more convenient for photos with diagonal lines. There are three triangles with corresponding shapes. Just roughly place three subjects with approximate equal sizes in these triangles and this rule will be kept.
Golden Spiral or Golden Rectangle
And one more rule is a "Golden Spiral" or "Golden Rectangle" (you'll see why it's a rectangle in the tools section). There should be something, leading the eye to the center of the composition. It could be a line or several subjects. This "something" could just be there without leading the eyes, but it will fulfill its purpose anyway.
Golden Mean
A whole bunch of old Greek mathy jazz that I don't feel like explaining, so just look at examples.
REMEMBER: These are not actual rules, but guidlines. If it doesn't look right to your eye, don't do it.
Last edited by The Chimichunga; 04-08-2010 at 02:22 PM.
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I'm a Photographer!
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I wanna make a program built into the cameras to select which grid would work best when you look in the viewfinder. Or make a smart program built INTO th camera, and it automatically selects which rule works best for whatever you are pointed at lol
And if it can't come up with anything, it tells you that you have a horrible eye and should learn more, etc...
And if it can't come up with anything, it tells you that you have a horrible eye and should learn more, etc...
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haha thanks! But truuuuust me, I always tend to put some of those rules on the back burner, and just get lucky at times, and honestly, some of those I didn't really know about/that well.
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