Photography Assignment

Composition: Rule of Thirds

Feel free to use and modify this assignment for your own use. Any suggestions for improvement or variation are appreciated. 💖Carol

The Rule of Thirds is a key compositional technique in photography that helps create balanced and visually interesting images. Here’s a quick overview:

What is the Rule of Thirds?

  • Grid Layout: Imagine your image divided into nine equal parts by two horizontal and two vertical lines, creating a grid.
  • Placement of Elements: Place important elements of your composition along these lines or at their intersections (called “power points”).
  • Creating Balance: This technique avoids centering the subject, leading to a more dynamic and engaging composition.

How to Use It:

  • Landscapes: Align the horizon along the top or bottom third line instead of the center.
  • Portraits: Position the subject’s eyes at one of the top intersections to draw attention to their face.
  • Action Shots: Allow space in the direction the subject is moving or looking to create a sense of motion and context.

Why Use It?

  • Enhances Balance: Creates a harmonious and pleasing composition.
  • Adds Interest: Provides a sense of depth and asymmetry, making the photo more engaging.
  • Guides the Viewer’s Eye: Naturally directs attention to the most important parts of the image.

Practical Tip:

  • Activate the grid overlay feature on your camera or smartphone to help you apply the rule of thirds while shooting.

Remember:

  • The rule of thirds is a guideline, not a strict rule. Sometimes breaking it can lead to creative and striking images. Use it as a starting point to explore and experiment with your compositions.

Assignment:

Rule of Thirds: Creating Balance

Take five photos using the rule of thirds to create balanced compositions.

Find or position a subject in front of a simple background (an object in front of a solid background would be ideal). Then compose your subject in the following positions.

  1. Centered
  2. Rule of Thirds: lower left
  3. Rule of Thirds: upper left
  4. Rule of Thirds: upper right
  5. Rule of Thirds: lower right

Shoot in both a landscape and portrait (horizontal and vertical) orientation then choose your best set to share with the class.

Objective:

Master the rule of thirds and learn how it can be used to create visually appealing and well-balanced compositions.

Instructions:

  • Use the grid feature on your camera to help divide the frame into nine equal parts.
  • Position the main subject or points of interest along the grid lines or at the intersections (power points) of the grid.
  • Experiment with different subjects and scenes: portraits, landscapes, architecture, and still life.
  • Analyze how placing the subject off-center affects the overall balance and visual interest of the image.

Guidelines:

  1. Practice composing with the rule of thirds then choose your best set of 5 (same subject composed different ways) to share.
  2. Settings: Your settings (aperture, shutter speed, and ISO) should be the same for your entire set.
  3. Your distance to subject and perspective should be the same.

Example Images & Analysis

When using the rule of thirds you usually want to place your focal point (example: eyes of a subject when shooting portraits) at the grid intersection “power” points. 

Centered

Rule of Thirds: Lower Left

Rule of Thirds: Upper Left

Rule of Thirds: Upper Right

Rule of Thirds: Lower Right

The focal point in these images are the eyes of the Tanuki. The images were shot with an iPhone without a grid overlay so some slight adjustments were made with the crop tool to nail the intersection points of the rule of thirds grid. 

Analyze how placing the subject off-center affects the overall balance and visual interest of the image. Then discuss which composition works best for your subject and why.

The centered composition features the subject prominently but has a formal and static quality due to the subject being balanced in the center. The upper right and lower right images feel the most balanced and interesting. I believe the ‘lower right composition’ feels the most balanced and interesting overall. The close up shot of the subject looking towards the right creates a sense of intimacy. The subject seems to of just moved forward from the space behind and to the left of it which gives this portrait a sense of motion. The composition is aided by the chicken in the background that appears to be watching the subject. 

Deliverables: 

  • Five JPG images.
  • Writing: Analyze how placing the subject off-center affects the image’s overall balance and visual interest. Then, discuss which composition works best for your subject and why.

FILE SPECIFICATIONS:

  • JPG format
    • 1800 px on the longest side
  • Filenames: Label files in chronological order.
    • YourName_RoT_001.jpg [Centered]
    • YourName_RoT_002.jpg [Lower Left]
    • YourName_RoT_003.jpg [Upper Left]
    • YourName_RoT_004.jpg [Upper Right]
    • YourName_RoT_005.jpg [Lower Right]

Discussion:

  • Provide feedback on the technical execution and creative approach of at least two others.
  • Discuss which of their compositions you think works best and why.