Subject right or left?
Nov 30, 2018 15:44:05 #
IDguy
Loc: Idaho
Bryan Peterson suggests having the main subject in the right third of the frame usually works better. (Learning to see Creatively, p. 101). He offers a couple of examples that seem to confirm this. And one that does not, with explanation.
I see the two in support have leading lines to the subject.
I get the idea that ( at least in cultures that read left to right ) the eye enters the frame from the left and if the subject is there stops.
Which do you prefer and why?
I see the two in support have leading lines to the subject.
I get the idea that ( at least in cultures that read left to right ) the eye enters the frame from the left and if the subject is there stops.
Which do you prefer and why?
Nov 30, 2018 16:10:43 #
Mostly with the subject on the right. But it would depend on the subject, any implied action/motion, and the orientation of the subject.
Probably for the reading reason.
Probably for the reading reason.
Nov 30, 2018 16:12:08 #
Bryan is an outstanding photographer and educator. I and many other UHH members respect his opinions. But one of the great things about guidelines published by any source is that you can always find photographs which break them successfully. In other words, be aware of guidelines and rules, but don’t be forever wedded to them.
Nov 30, 2018 16:13:18 #
Depends upon which way the subject is facing/walking/flying. etc You need a negative space to allow for 'natural movement' even when you have 'freeze-framed' it. So a dog sat facing your right would be in the left third.
The trouble with rules: is that there are always exceptions. The left right reading argument does nothing for Chinese who read vertically. The Arab that reads left right left right on each line.
That saying, The rule of thirds is such a simple concept (that works) which is easily understood, it is a great introduction to Composition.
have fun
The trouble with rules: is that there are always exceptions. The left right reading argument does nothing for Chinese who read vertically. The Arab that reads left right left right on each line.
That saying, The rule of thirds is such a simple concept (that works) which is easily understood, it is a great introduction to Composition.
have fun
Nov 30, 2018 16:13:23 #
I prefer that the subject has room to progress through the frame.
As in a BIF left to right should not be flying directly off of the right side, it should be left with room to go right. JMHO
As in a BIF left to right should not be flying directly off of the right side, it should be left with room to go right. JMHO
Nov 30, 2018 16:14:20 #
IDguy wrote:
Bryan Peterson suggests having the main subject in the right third of the frame usually works better. (Learning to see Creatively, p. 101). He offers a couple of examples that seem to confirm this. And one that does not, with explanation.
I see the two in support have leading lines to the subject.
I get the idea that ( at least in cultures that read left to right ) the eye enters the frame from the left and if the subject is there stops.
Which do you prefer and why?
I see the two in support have leading lines to the subject.
I get the idea that ( at least in cultures that read left to right ) the eye enters the frame from the left and if the subject is there stops.
Which do you prefer and why?
"I see the two in support have leading lines to the subject. I get the idea that ( at least in cultures that read left to right ) the eye enters the frame from the left and if the subject is there stops."
I'm glad to see that others understand that, not everyone does.
I can't comment on your actual images because I see none attached or posted. Just your text posting. ????
I'm I supposed to look for a page in a book?It is a bit hard to control exactly where a BIF falls in your frame, but more many subject if not identifiable as to place, I'll flip images L for R so they read bottom Left to upper Right, and have good 1/3 placement. I've even added black space to say one side of an image. With Ps Content Aware almost anything is possible now!
Nov 30, 2018 16:19:21 #
G Brown wrote:
Depends upon which way the subject is facing/walking/flying. etc You need a negative space to allow for 'natural movement' even when you have 'freeze-framed' it. So a dog sat facing your right would be in the left third.
I made just about that same thing earlier while commenting on an image of an Osprey in a nest. The subject was dead center but looking to the left.
It is good to have guides, but not rules.
--
Nov 30, 2018 16:24:05 #
rjaywallace wrote:
Bryan is an outstanding photographer and educator. I and many other UHH members respect his opinions. But one of the great things about guidelines published by any source is that you can always find photographs which break them successfully. In other words, be aware of guidelines and rules, but don’t be forever wedded to them.
Exactly!
Nov 30, 2018 16:24:59 #
Never thought of it! I suppose it depends on the subject, the situation, and the composition of any given image. Also- it's difficult to address your question without seeing the photographs you describe in you post. I have not read into the book in you reference- sounds like a good read!
This could have something to do that in the English language; folks read from left to right and are more likely to follow a line that moves the eye in that direction. That, of course would be problematic for folks that read Arabic, Hebrew, or some of the Asian languages that are written in vertical columns.What about people with dyslexia? This is just a theory or guess on my part.
Then there is the thing about right and left sides of the brain controlling specific actions, senses and perceptions.
I once attended a master class on portraiture where the instructor pointed out that folks in North America, have more pronounced musculature on the left side of there neick because when driving they "shoulder check" to the right whereas folks in Europe, who drive on the left side of the road have the inverses physical feature. I thought I was a stickler for detail and obscure information!
I studied with a teacher who was reputed to be a guru on composition. He hand many rules and guidelines to teach but sometimes when asked about a certain image or composition, as to how or why he decided on the composition he would shrug his shoulder and say "It looked kind good that way" and he was not being sarcastic or facetious. Sometimes it's hard to supply a definitive answer or create a rule for everything and just proceed thinking "if it looks good- shoot it" and "if it ain't broke' don't fix it"!
Great thing is, we learn new stuff all the time and it keeps things interesting and makes us more observant and wanting to try out new concepts or we may even find out we already do certain things- kinda automatically or autonomically but never paid it any mind.
Interesting for sure.
This could have something to do that in the English language; folks read from left to right and are more likely to follow a line that moves the eye in that direction. That, of course would be problematic for folks that read Arabic, Hebrew, or some of the Asian languages that are written in vertical columns.What about people with dyslexia? This is just a theory or guess on my part.
Then there is the thing about right and left sides of the brain controlling specific actions, senses and perceptions.
I once attended a master class on portraiture where the instructor pointed out that folks in North America, have more pronounced musculature on the left side of there neick because when driving they "shoulder check" to the right whereas folks in Europe, who drive on the left side of the road have the inverses physical feature. I thought I was a stickler for detail and obscure information!
I studied with a teacher who was reputed to be a guru on composition. He hand many rules and guidelines to teach but sometimes when asked about a certain image or composition, as to how or why he decided on the composition he would shrug his shoulder and say "It looked kind good that way" and he was not being sarcastic or facetious. Sometimes it's hard to supply a definitive answer or create a rule for everything and just proceed thinking "if it looks good- shoot it" and "if it ain't broke' don't fix it"!
Great thing is, we learn new stuff all the time and it keeps things interesting and makes us more observant and wanting to try out new concepts or we may even find out we already do certain things- kinda automatically or autonomically but never paid it any mind.
Interesting for sure.
Nov 30, 2018 16:26:23 #
IDguy
Loc: Idaho
I interpret all composition rules as guides. In the sense of, “As a rule generally...”
And find them very helpful. I’m an engineer, not an artist. 🤪
And find them very helpful. I’m an engineer, not an artist. 🤪
Nov 30, 2018 16:29:39 #
IDguy wrote:
Bryan Peterson suggests having the main subject in the right third of the frame usually works better. (Learning to see Creatively, p. 101). He offers a couple of examples that seem to confirm this. And one that does not, with explanation.
I see the two in support have leading lines to the subject.
I get the idea that ( at least in cultures that read left to right ) the eye enters the frame from the left and if the subject is there stops.
Which do you prefer and why?
I see the two in support have leading lines to the subject.
I get the idea that ( at least in cultures that read left to right ) the eye enters the frame from the left and if the subject is there stops.
Which do you prefer and why?
It depends. If it's a subject facing the camera left, I'll put the subject camera right. If is subject is facing camera right, I'll put the subject camera left. This gives them some lead room. In other words, I don't want the subject facing the closest side or edge of the shot. There has to be space in front of them, not behind them. If they're facing camera straight on then it doesn't matter too much to me. It also depends on the background too.
Nov 30, 2018 16:29:48 #
Nov 30, 2018 16:33:15 #
IDguy
Loc: Idaho
skingfong wrote:
It depends. If it's a subject facing the camera left, I'll put the subject camera right. If is subject is facing camera right, I'll put the subject camera left. This gives them some lead room. In other words, I don't want the subject facing the closest side or edge of the shot. There has to be space in front of them, not behind them. If they're facing camera straight on then it doesn't matter too much to me. It also depends on the background too.
Yes, that is an additional “rule” that takes precedence when present. Peterson’s supporting images do not have critters, and one is static. His non supportive example is a person, straight on.
Nov 30, 2018 17:00:32 #
IDguy wrote:
Here are the supporting examples:
The two right side frames or pages of course. For the reasons several of us have already pointed out. Reading bottom left to upper right (in Western culture). And the Rule of thirds gets mixed in here as well.
Nov 30, 2018 18:14:31 #
Excuse the abruptness, but that, and "The Rule Thirds," are both basically baloney. Want steak? Get a good book on composition (just browse library or internet for something that interests you) read, and experiment. For some reason, too many photographers have forgotten that part about photography being an Art, with all its compositional, psychological, and other nuances, and focus on simplistic compositional "rules." E.L.Shapiro seems to be one who does know he is an artist, and his advice here is good.
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