Okay, let’s talk about something I tried recently – the “Rule of Thirds.” I’m not a professional photographer or anything, but I like taking pictures, especially when I travel. I came across this rule online, and it sounded interesting. Basically, it’s about how you can make your photos look better by placing the important stuff off-center.
So, I decided to give it a try with a picture of a Black Panther I saw at the zoo. First, I needed to imagine my photo divided into nine equal parts, like a tic-tac-toe grid. You do this by drawing two horizontal and two vertical lines across the image in your mind.
The idea is to place the main subject, in this case, the Black Panther, along these lines or where the lines intersect. I know, it sounds a bit weird, not putting the subject smack in the middle, but I was game to try anything.
I spent a good 20% of my time just taking the usual, safe shots, like putting the panther right in the center. I did this just in case this whole Rule of Thirds thing didn’t work out. Then, I moved on to the next 60%.
I started experimenting. I positioned the Black Panther along the left vertical line, then the right. I took some shots with him near the top intersection points, and some near the bottom. It felt a bit awkward at first, like I was doing something wrong. But I kept at it, trying different angles and positions.
After that, I dedicated the last 20% to just getting creative, not strictly following the rule but using it as a guide. I also tried to use this rule to position other elements in the frame to achieve a better balance for the image.
Here is my process:
- Spend 20% of your time getting the “safe” shots.
- Spend 60% pushing yourself to take shots that apply the rule of thirds.
- Spend the last 20% on experimental shots.
Honestly, when I looked at the photos later, the ones where I used the Rule of Thirds did look more interesting. They just had a different feel to them, more dynamic, I guess. The panther didn’t feel so static in the frame. I’m still learning, but it’s these little tricks that make photography fun. It’s like there’s always something new to discover, even if you’re just a regular dude or lady with a camera. I’m definitely going to use this technique more often.
Give it a go next time you’re taking photos, it’s a pretty neat trick!