Project #5 - Composing Your Images

One thing we need to do whether it's taking the photograph or creating one in our art packages is to make sure we compose it right. This tutorial will introduce you to the rule known as "The Rule of Thirds".

Okay, so what exactly is this rule of thirds? Simply put, you place an imaginary grid over your images that divides your image into equal thirds horizontally and vertically - which in turn gives you striking composition.

Take a look at the picture below to see a typical image set up with a grid.

The idea is, like on this picture, you don't place the horizon in the middle of the middle square. By taking the photograph with the bridge just over the top of the first middle square you are not detracting from the main subject (the bridge and river) by placing far too much sky in the image.

However, if it was the sky you were wanting to mainly focus on, you would possibly place the bridge at the near bottom of the middle square, or into the next square below.

Sound confusing? Try it yourself... look through the viewfinder of your camera, pick a subject and then place an imaginary grid over the image, (some digital cameras offer the chance to place an actual grid on their LCD screen). If you are using a digital camera, take a few shots of the subject, but move the camera around. Take one with the subject dead centre, and take some more using the rule of thirds.

Although this is a rule to be followed when taking your photographs, like all rules, it can be broken. For example, what about a close up shot of a flower? With the image opposite, the rule of third has been broken, however, the centre of the flower is in fact in the centre anyway.

Hopefully, this tutorial/article will have given you some idea on how to compose images you create and your photographs.

When creating your images from scratch, place a grid on a separate layer to help you with the guides.