Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Yes - as this photo consists of more body than most portrates I feel it is well composed in the rule of 1/3 - a good one too.

gravelc Loc: Nepean, Ontario, Canada

thanks ! :)

kridlon Loc: massachusetts

To ALL of you who replied to my question regarding the rule of thirds, my sincere thanks. I am impressed with the responses and illustrated depth of knowledge.

Best to everyone that replied,Ken Ridlon

architect Loc: Chattanooga

As Edward Weston said, "Consulting the rules of composition before taking a photograph is like consulting the laws of gravity before going for a walk."

The practical application of the Golden Mean IS the Rule of Thirds. The Golden Mean would place the lines more towards the center than equally spaced., or a ratio of about 8:5:8.

To really be confused. See the diagram below. See why the Rule of Thirds is easier to use?

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

gravelc...

Your image of the girl works partially for the rule of thirds, however, you have her equally balanced from left to right. You could improve this image if you were to crop her a little from the right, in this image, thereby getting her on the right hand third of the vertical image rather with more space on her left (but only for the pose you have her in), rather than bang in the middle.

Even better for westerners would be if you then flipped the image around and hand her with more body on the left side of the image with extra space on the right. Try it and you will see that this is more pleasing to the brain/eye for westerners. This is because we read left to right in the west. In eastern countries where they read right to left, the image would be better suited to their brain's liking if it had her body on the right and more space in the image on the left of her body.

And to the one who posted "...your welcome...", well you really should have used a different word, like this ...you're welcome... not your.

gravelc Loc: Nepean, Ontario, Canada

Thank you for taking the time to scrutinize my picture and giving me so good advice. I never thought about flipping a picture before. I am just starting to use Photoshop, so I'll check it out ! Enjoy your week-end. :)

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

flipping the image is often done in advertising shots of people, to suit what they may need. You would never do that for a person who you have photographed as a portrait. They would see something is different but not know what it was. So flipping around an image is fine if it suits your needs but should not be done for the sitter.

gravelc Loc: Nepean, Ontario, Canada

Thanks ! I'll make sure I will do it only when I will never see the person again, like the young woman on my portrait.

Greatwebs

:)

Greatwebs

Sorry for the bad english, I'm brazilian [/quote]

:thumbup: Great input.

Never apologize for speaking another language especially English which is very difficult for non-English speakers to learn.

Most people only speak their native tongue so speaking another language is to be admired. Your English is way better then my Portuguese which is non-existent. My wife is from Singapore and she speaks 4 languages. She is always apologizing for her Chinese. I keep telling her that I am a native Texan and I am still having problems with English.

Sorry for getting off topic!

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I quite often flip landscape or nature photos to keep the eye flowing across a photo from left to right as our eyes are trained to read that way.

gravelc Loc: Nepean, Ontario, Canada

I am French Canadian :)

Artcameraman Loc: Springfield NH

There are exceptions to every rule like don't bullseye shoot a photo, not always true. Take several shots. A lot of programs have overlays that you can use when cropping. Personally I like a spiral but that's me.
artcameraman