Linda From Maine wrote:
Inspired by a comment ebrunner made in his "Sunflowers" topic
As with most (all?) "rules" of composition, it's helpful to know the why, as well as to know when to ignore. Click
here to see the list of articles I use for the below bullets.
Why use three:
- framing your subject with two objects suggests balance and harmony
- three objects in a frame tend to form a triangle or line, both considered pleasurable shapes
- Having an odd number of things in a composition means your eye and brain can't pair them up or group them easily. There's somehow always one thing left over, which keeps your eyes moving across the composition.
Please feel free to include photos as part of your discussion. Many thanks!
Inspired by a comment ebrunner made in his "S... (
show quote)
Some great examples! Some will perhaps be seen even more favorably after reading what's below--I hope.
After reading the first article (Four Rules of Photographic Composition, Elizabeth Halford,
https://digital-photography-school.com/four-rules-of-photographic-composition/), I thought it could be better brought into line with traditional principles of composition, some of its rules being a bit narrow.
RULE OF THIRDS â This may be the most widely known rule of composition among photographers. ThereâÂÂs even an option in most DSLRs to switch on a visual grid in your viewfinder. This rule states that for an image to be visually interesting, the main focus of the image needs to lie along one of the lines marked in thirds.
Ruh-roh. The example given actually shows a no-no in the world of design. Of the four overlaps created by drawing âÂÂthirds,â only two are suggested. Importantly, and applying to the âÂÂRule of Oddsâ below, these points of interest (often called âÂÂCenters of Interestâ in design and composition) do not work unless you balance them.
Bottom left creates a calmer sort of dynamic tension. Upper left creates a more dynamic (has the âÂÂenergy that a high thing has, the potential to fall). The center of interest in her example is the least recommended, as it leads the eye to the bottom corner, and off to the next work in an exhibit. In my photo, the center of interest (the red buildings) is balanced by two "weaker" areas, as good Asymmetrical compositions do. (Asymmetrical Composition is the generator of th oversimplified "rule of thirds")
Rule of odds â The rule of odds states that images are more visually appealing when there is an odd number of subjects.
A kind of oversimplification, assuming that âÂÂdynamicâ is the reaction you are going for. Even numbered things (or more usually just one thing/major object) are appealing if centered and the reaction wanted is serenity or calm, the intent of the photo of the pilar in the snow.
I haven't yet looked at the other sources, although Linda mentions Triangular, which is also tied in with Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Balance. If the other resources do not point out the other two types of composition (Rhythmical and Circular/Spiral), I suggest searching them out. Most good photos and art use more than one, as the second example of mine does, as do several of the previous examples in this thread.