Rule of Thirds, Yay or Nay?

7 years 9 months ago #490150 by Shadowfixer1
Always use the rule of thirds until you have learned enough to know when not to use it. The overwhelming majority of the time, an image with the main subject placed near a power point will be more impactful than an image with the subject centered. Centering a subject usually means you are trying to show some kind of symmetry, more times than not. 
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7 years 9 months ago #490161 by Tim Chiang
:agree: 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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7 years 9 months ago #490253 by effron
I'll simplify....Yay!

Why so serious?
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7 years 9 months ago #490336 by rogdel
It's always important to take what your teachers and colleagues say with a grain of salt - like Lavender said, rules are made to be broken

That being said, your teachers are telling you to abide by the rule for good reason - I think others covered why that is in earlier comments


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7 years 9 months ago #490452 by Fitch
If they shot requires it, in order to look good.  Then yes, I'll do what ever I feel like.  Nothing is set in stone.  


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7 years 9 months ago #490868 by Garbo
That's where experience comes in.  You learn when you can break the rules.  

Nikon D300: 24-70 2.8 | 70-200 2.8 VR |Sigma 150 2.8 | 50 1.4 | SB-800
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7 years 8 months ago #492307 by SJM
Depends on the shot and what is avail






e.  

Country guy living in the big Apple!
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7 years 8 months ago #493835 by Roy Wilson

PhotoViking wrote: Nobody can tell you when to break a rule - and when not to. With time you'll get an eye for it. Don't let the rules rule you, see them as general leads that are there to help you, not to rule you!


:agree: good advice   

Canon 5D Mark II, 30D, 40D, 50 1.2L, 16-35 2.8L Mark II, 24-105 4L IS, 24-70 2.8L, 70-200 2.8L IS, 85 1.8, 4 x 580 EX(II)
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7 years 8 months ago #493870 by Screamin Scott
A lot depends on the type of imagery you are doing. Fine Art & Portraiture will almost always adhere to the rule. Photojournalism & documentary imagery , not so much. Like others have said, it's a rule that is made to be broken depending on the circumstances. There are many shots where the rule is impossible to obtain (especially when it involves fast moving subjects).

Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/

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7 years 8 months ago #493874 by mariedespirito
I'm also learning & find the rules a little confusing. I like using the grid in my viewfinder because it helps to put things in place but sometimes it gets in the way. There's so much to learn & it's sometimes intimating. 
Marie 


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7 years 8 months ago #493880 by KCook
Instead of the grid I have the simple cross hairs turned on.  Which is for leveling, not stepping off distances.

Kelly

Canon 50D, Olympus PL2
kellycook.zenfolio.com/

The following user(s) said Thank You: mariedespirito
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7 years 8 months ago #493896 by PhotoViking

marie.de wrote: I'm also learning & find the rules a little confusing.


Don't let the rules rule you!
Keep them in the back of your head - as useful tools if/when you need them. Sooner or later most of it will come naturally, without thinking......

Festina lente!
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7 years 8 months ago #494455 by H Rocky
When shooting square aspect ratio and when ever I feel like it. Rules are meant to be broken.  


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7 years 8 months ago #494710 by Happy Snapper
Break it when you can! 

Gripped Nikon D810 --- Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 --- Sigma 10-20mm f/4 --- Nikon 50mm f/1.4 --- SB600
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7 years 6 months ago #501492 by GabrielMata
That's right. Rules are meant to be broken. 

Nevertheless. Knowing how to use the rule of thirds will help you get great shots. 

What do you think?


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