UXOEOD

I don't like the word RULE either. Guidelines, much better? But you are right, do it your way, have a ball. I am NO EXPERT. But just for shit and giggles, pick 10 photos, images, or even paintings, that YOU find pleasing, good, or great. Image a tic tac to grid on it. See if the important component of those pictures just happen to lie close to the lines, or the intersection points.

You may find those images follow the rule of thirds. If you find that without knowing it, you find photos that fit the rules of thirds, you may see that cropping your photos to fit it, may, just may, help them to be more pleasing images.

Whatever you do won't affect my images, or my wages. But, just on the extremely small chance that it might improve your images...do what makes you happier. But creating the best images I can, makes me happier.

Please let me know how the 10 image test works out.

Old Redeye Loc: San Mateo, CA

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I have to admit, my post was somewhat tongue-in-cheek. This image is currently in two exhibits, has won three awards and a $500 prize. I have also sold three copies of it.
This just demonstrates the fact that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. (You're right; I am pretty happy with it.)

MtnMan Loc: ID

But it does employ the rule of thirds. The falling cowboy is at the lower left thirds powerpoint. You may have become so good at doing it you don't do it consciously.

It might work a little better if the focus was centered on the cowboy. Another rule of composition.

To make what you have work as a more effective composition you could lighten the cowboy a bit, making him the brightest part of the image, which is another rule of composition.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Old Redeye, you are one of the photographers who got composition correct, and didn't know it.

Look again at the Rodeo picture you submitted. The Bronc Rider is about to get a mouth full of dirt, and he is in the bottom left 1/3. The action of the Horse is in the mid-bottom 1/3 of the frame. Behind the Bronc rider is a former rider with an injury, the two riders are in the left 1/3 of the frame. To balance these two individuals you have two observers inside the ring keeping score. Finally, to complete your composition, you do not have a grandstand post emerging out of the center of the Horse back side; you have three posts and they are in 1/3s.

You are correct, you don't have time to compose a picture at an action event. What we should have is the knowledge of how composition can help to create a wonderful picture. With that knowledge, and practicing it as much as possible, good composition comes naturally, as in your Rodeo picture.

Then, when we are at the event we can plan on capturing an action event ahead of time, and when the action occurs, capture it as best as possible. Sometimes the planning results in everything coming together for a great capture.

Michael G

Old Redeye Loc: San Mateo, CA

Thanks, Armadillo.

Old Redeye Loc: San Mateo, CA

LOL. Great response. I love the humor.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Do you think that this is a better composition?

Old Redeye Loc: San Mateo, CA

Old Redeye Loc: San Mateo, CA

Frankly, no. It's different, but I don't find it "better". I determined that the other cowboy added to the story I was telling, while I did crop out some other people. As I stated earlier, different isn't necessarily better. I'm quite pleased with the results (especially financial!) I got from the photo as printed.
I have enjoyed this thread, though. It's good to make people think!

Lazy Old Coot Loc: Gainesville, Florida

I think one of the things I enjoy most about this forum is watching people improve over time. With some it's a slow methodical process. With others they don't seem to improve at all for several months and then suddenly something seems to click and they post a string wonderful images I'd be proud to have taken myself. You mention birds in flight. Any time I get a BIF that's even acceptable I consider it to be, what I call, a "happy accident" and that doesn't happen very often. It just doesn't seem to be my bag.

I do think we see many poorly composed photos because even the digital point and shoot cameras of today allow rank beginners to take pictures of things and under conditions they would have found impossible with the film cameras ten or fifteen years ago and they are so tickled with them they want others to see what they did. Give them some time and you will see some of them develop a good eye for comp, gradually absorb some technical knowledge and start to blossom. When you have some time go back and look at some of the pictures you shot with your first camera. It can be a humbling experience. ........ Coot

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Of course you don't. :lol:

Underwaterant

I say we all stick to the Golden Mean.
35mm film and sensor ratio is based
on this.
Why not confuse things.

dickwilber Loc: Indiana (currently)

Reluctantly, because it is your picture, I found the other cowboy distracting, and the cropped version more appealing. And, getting back to the original idea of this thread, a stronger composition.

dickwilber Loc: Indiana (currently)

The "Golden Mean"? I don't know what that is. I have an appreciation of the Golden Ratio, and 35 mm film and sensor size completely ignores that. If I'm wrong, please explain.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Here is quite a good article on composition.
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/04/12/10-rules-of-photo-composition-and-why-they-work/

Its funny though, it tells you to use off centre composition but not to be a slave to thirds ........ and then in its rule breaker example there are thirds oozing out of it all over the place LOL.

That sort of thing often happens with rulebreaker examples online.
They use an example that obviously breaks one rule, and ignore that it has stronger than normal alternate composition guides.