Improve Your Photography With The Rule Of Thirds
Vibrant and skillful photography is a must-have in today's digital world. Any marketing expert knows that great photos are key to catching the eye of a potential buyer or client. But great photos are important for more than just marketing. In a world where most people have a high tech digital camera right in their pocket, it's never been easier to take your own fantastic photos. You can spruce up your resume, social media posts, or blog by adding some of your own eye-catching imagery. But as everyone knows, photography isn't as simple as pointing and clicking. There are a few important tricks you need to know when taking your own photos. One of the most important rules of photography is all about composition; it's called the rule of thirds.
The Golden Ratio
The rule of thirds involves something called the golden ratio or the golden mean. It's a number in mathematics symbolized by the Greek letter phi. It's the result of "dividing a line into two parts so that the longer part divided by the smaller part is also equal to the whole length divided by the longer part." It sounds complicated but it's a pattern that occurs naturally all over in the world around us, like in the patterns of sunflower seeds, snail shells, and even DNA molecules. Also, it's been used extensively throughout history by mathematicians, architects, engineers, and artists.
Why Use It?
This is all fascinating but perhaps you're wondering why the golden rule is important in photography, specifically. The importance of the ratio is that it's believed to be the most visually beautiful and balanced shape in nature, the one most pleasing to the human eye. It also helps draw and lead the human eye toward the subject you're trying to photograph.
How to Use It
Using it is simple. Frame the image you want to capture in your viewfinder or view screen. Now imagine that there are three lines drawn horizontally and three lines drawn vertically, like a grid or tick-tack-toe box. The rule of thirds says that the subject of your photo should be located in the intersection of one of those lines, right on the grid not in the boxes. (On some cameras, you may not even have to imagine it. A few cameras have the option to overlay a grid over your view screen.) When you start practicing the rule of thirds, you'll immediately notice that your photos improve dramatically. Of course, symmetrical photos can be striking too so make sure to use the rule when it suits your subject best.
To learn more, talk with Tibor Brand.
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