Tina explains the well-known Rule of Thirds, and asks us to show our own examples. Visit her site for more inspiration!I must admit the rule is somewhere with me always, but I never think of it. It is true that this composition is pleasing to the eye, but so is breaking it…
This Shar – pei beauty on the steps – is maybe not totally in the ”right” position, but almost. Many times you need to fit into the frame what would look strange if it wasn’t there – and the dog had to be there, just as I wanted the steps to be there as well. And, I had to be fast – or the dog would go indoors again.
In this image I just wanted something in the foreground, and matched the single boat with the boats to the left and the lady on the bridge – a balance after all. My overall idea is that a balanced image is more needed than following the rules. (Rules might help the balancing of course…)
The Mockingbird and the blue bottle makes a balanced picture despite breaking the rules. I almost always avoid putting the significant object in the middle, so, the balance here is kept by the bottle and the bird leaning away from each other. The lack of other colours/the blending in also makes the bird a star.
I say trust your own feeling for when an image has got the finish you want. This Iceland motif is a favourite – warm evening colours contrasted to the darker, colder side of the mountains, and the distinct line going left-right and upwards. The farm in the lower left corner.
Another example, from Ireland, where I would have liked the shot a bit more from the right, putting the ruins in a better position. But, that was not possible – so I made this image anyway. It works for me, thanks to the hiker on the road.
Finally two images where you cannot follow the rule of thirds properly – and it is not needed either. The Moroccan dune works like the Icelandic mountain ridge – the contrast between light and dark, warmth and cold. Just decide where the line should go. One third?
Finally a horse in the middle, or almost. I felt that was his right position. Do you agree?
In the end – were you familiar with the rule? Do you use it? This week we hope you’ll share some rule-of-thirds examples and explain how and why you chose to compose them. Please link to Tina’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag!
Sincere thanks to John for making our week filled with smiles! Much needed…Patti will lead our next challenge with Light and Shadow. Until then, stay safe and be kind.
Leya 
All great examples! I’m especially drawn to the red-roofed house in Iceland both from the landscape and from the way you framed it. Thanks for the information accompanying each photo. I’ve learned a lot from you today!
Thank you for interesting comments! I learn something every day, and that is a good thing❤️
Excellent, AC! It got better and better as I scroll down. The farm image is breathtaking, and I love the hiking walking toward the castle. Remarkable selections.
Apologize for being late here.
Thank you, Amy! Happy you liked them! My computer is not feeling good, but hope it will recover!
It’s frustrating when PC is not functioning. Hope it will recover soon.
Hopefully Monday
Great pictures as always, Ann-Christine and thanks for describing each one. I especially like the Mockingbird sitting next to the blue bottle. Probably an unexpected gem!
Thank you, Sylvia – and yes, it was!
Wonderful photos 🙂
Thank you kindly.
Intriguing thoughts and wonderful images, AC. I love your image of the sand dune, the country road in Ireland, and the scene in Iceland. Just gorgeous. I’ve been thinking of you. Hugs to you and your new loved one.
Thank you again, Patti – hope to meet her tomorrow!
Wonderful photos as always, and with great explanations. I like the message, go with your feeling about when the photo seems to be correct.
Thank you – I believe that’s the way to go, yes.
Beautiful images Ann-Christine and lovely compositions, especially the Iceland scene with the warm light on the mountain 🧡
Thank you – happy you liked that one!
Familiar with the rule, break it usually, all while I KNOW I haven’t ‘mastered it enough’ to ‘break it like an artist’ – LOL I just zone in on what I find intriguing in the picture, OR I shoot a video, then, in front of the computer, pull out that one frame, that says it all – 😀 Whether it meets the rules or breaks them well, I usually do not claim to know – I’ll leave that up to the ‘experts’ to decide – 😀
Of course there are ”experts” hiding somewhere…but we are our own experts in our own photography!
Lovely images. I particularly like the Iceland image
Thank you – that is one of my favourites.
There are so many ways to compose an image and the rules of thirds is just one way to assist us in creating a visually pleasing result. I think here you have illustrated many techniques that photographers use. I would agree with Brian and Sue that the first image is a bit busy, maybe cropping from the left would help, or moving your position, but as you said, you only had a limited time in which to make the decision and I agree the dog just has to be in the shot. I have been looking at various techniques again this year using new images as my first attempt was during lockdown. I would say that the way you make use of lines to draw the viewer into and through your images works extremely well.
I am very happy you like my choices, Jude! It was a fun challenge, because, as I stated, I don’t often think about rules, I just shoot. Techniques are good to be aware of though – so that you can tweak them too…!
Ann-Christine, these are al wonderful examples of the Rule of Thirds. What a terrific post.
♥ Thank you, Cee!
Great images for this challenge Ann-Christine! I like how you framed the rule as something that is with you always. Your selections and descriptions are outstanding. I like that quick snap of the dog and the sand dune is amazing.
Thank you so much, Anne! It was fun trying to find examples and remember how I was thinking…
I enjoyed this post,A C …..have to say I agree with Brian about the busyness of that first image!! I guessed the fifth one was Ireland…I had visited a similar looking scene, the abbey at Dunbrody in Co Wexford.Your image works not because of RoT, but because of the dominant leading line (the road)
Thank you, Sue! I agree about the leading line – but the abbey should have been more to the right. That was a bit disturbing…
Well, you can’t have it all, A C!
No, we cannot have it all, can we. And that is good!
😊😊
Wow! Great selections! I love the Iceland mountain sweeping down to the red roof building, the Ireland road to ruins (‘May the road rise up to meet you’ – Irish skoal), the sand dune ridge, and the horse statue, to name a few!
Thank you very much, John – it was a fun challenge to find examples for!
From the comments, I love the concept of ”suggestion of thirds” instead of rules… Nice!
That red roof in the mountain image really makes the image, and the hiker is perfectly positioned to lead the viewer into the upper third of the image. My favorite, though, is the sand dune. So mysterious.
Thank you, John! It was a fun challenge to find images for.
And the suggestion is superb!
PS. I forgot to say I absolutely loved the colorful overhang in your opener
Thank you – embroidered and knitted overhang!
All marvelous A-C and excellent choices on compositions. Love the spot of red roof in you mountain image and the road leading our eye right to the subject.
Thank you, Tina! That abbey in Ireland was a lovely spot!
Lovely collection AC.
Love the dog and Mocking 🐦 clicks especially
Thank you so much – !
You are welcome.
The Iceland shot is stunning & the horse works perfectly, even breaking the rule 😃
Thank you, Jez!
I like the dunes best, the texture and light are the perfect combination
Glad you loved the dunes, thank you!
I’m sure you could invent some new ‘rules’ that show why those landscape photos are perfect!
Ha, well, I think we all should invent some ”rules” we like, and that works! Good idea!
I don’t think I’ve ever found a photo of yours that I didn’t like. Ann-Christine, and there definitely isn’t one here. I love the stillness of the boats, the drama of Iceland and the perfection of the horse. Hope you’re having a good week.
Thank you so much, Jo! I am having a lovely week! Just becoming a grandmother!
I know! Boy or girl? 🤗💗
Girl! Lovely – hope to meet her soon!
💕💕
I love all the photos, Ann-Christine. The focus for each photo is well positioned.
Thank you so much, Miriam! A rule hard to follow always…
Tina and I though it should be called the suggestion of thirds or something like that and some of your shots perfectly illustrate why. The horse is just right and I especially like the Iceland shot.
Thanks, Janet – what a good suggestion!
I really enjoyed your photos and how you described them to us. I find the rule of thirds a tough one but I think you have some very good examples here and some nice rule breakers too!
Thank you, Anne – it is tough – but you don’t have to follow it…
I liked the one from Ireland, Ann-Christine! The path leads your eye.
Thanks, yes, the path leads the eye, but is not ”perfect”.
Love these photos!
I am glad you liked them, VJ!
I love the 2 farm images and I agree with the horse photo
Thank you, Nora!
*smile* I guess I have always followed a rule I did not know existed ! To me something ‘just looks right’ or one alters what is in the frame !!! Absolutely love the photos, especially the ‘busy’ pup one . . . and the photography of the horse had a different purpose methinks and looks just ‘right’ !!!
♥ I am glad you too rely on what ”just looks right”!
The first photo was so busy I didn’t know where to look. I just love all of the landscapes the farm house and the dune. Yes that horse was just right 🙂 🙂
Thank you, Brian! I loved that dog…