Rule of Thirds, Yay or Nay?
I'm trying to become a better photographer, but one thing always comes back around and leaves me confused: the rule of thirds.
I've been told in comments on my photography and by my teachers that the rule of thirds is the way to go, but I read an article that sometimes it's better to brake that 'rule'.
I'm wondering, what circumstance is it best to break that rule?
Thanks in advance for your help
-Sarah
KCook wrote: As a very rough rule, it's helpful most of the time. But taken literally, it's hardly ever the way to go. 1/3 of the frame width is a location 1/6 of the frame width from the center to the edge of the frame. Soooo, why is 1/6 always magic? Not 1/10 or 1/8 or 1/5 or 1/4? These just handy numbers, as is 1/6. Links for more deep thoughts -
jakegarn.com/the-rule-of-thirds/
www.photocritic.org/articles/radical-subject-placement
Kelly Cook
Thank you for these links! Very helpful for me
If you prefer books to blogs, "The Photographer's Eye" by Michael Freeman covers this topic well.SuzyM wrote:
KCook wrote: As a very rough rule, it's helpful most of the time. But taken literally, it's hardly ever the way to go. 1/3 of the frame width is a location 1/6 of the frame width from the center to the edge of the frame. Soooo, why is 1/6 always magic? Not 1/10 or 1/8 or 1/5 or 1/4? These just handy numbers, as is 1/6. Links for more deep thoughts -
jakegarn.com/the-rule-of-thirds/
www.photocritic.org/articles/radical-subject-placement
Kelly Cook
Thank you for these links! Very helpful for me
Kelly
Rule of Thirds can be tricky when you're first starting out. While it does usually make for great composition and a sense of balance in an image, it's not necessary to always abide by it. After all, rules are meant to be broken! Try shooting by the rules and against the rules and see what suits you best and produces the most effective images.
I couldn't have said it better. When you understand what shadowfixer1 said, then you understand on the fly, when to break this rule. 
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