Rule of Odds- or is it just a guideline

Don’t get hung up on the Rules of this and that.  I use the “Rule of Thirds” as a guideline. I don’t adhere to it all the time. It is a starting point and then I work my composition to what I think is the most pleasing to the eye.  There is another rule that I use when possible. It is called the “Rule of Odds”. 3 and 5 subjects can be more pleasing to the eye/brain than 4 and 6. With the following example, I could have easily left the little mushroom out of the photo. The photo seems more interesting when the “third” little mushroom is included. We Love You Little One So the moral of the story is don’t get hung up on rules of this or that they are just guidelines. Of course, some of the great master painters used these rules or guidelines. Click here for more information concerning the rule of...

Whats this “rule of thirds thing” I keep hearing about

When I first started being serious about photography a few years ago, I would hear speakers and presenters talk about the “rule of thirds”. It was usually when the subject of composition came up.  Think of a tick tack toe grid, where the lines intersect is  where you want the main focus or subject matter to land. It doesn’t have to be exactly at the intersection.   This rule helps with composition/balance. You don’t want your subject to be right smack in the center of the photo. It does not sit right with the eye. You can use this technique for vertical or horizontal photos. Here are a few photos that will help get the idea across. Waiting for Love-Horizontal or Landscape One and Done- Horizontal or Landscape Ready for Take-Off- Vertical or Portrait Do you always have to use the rule of thirds. No you don’t have to use the rule of thirds but it will help your overall photo if you do. Here is a shot that won a lot of awards and does not follow the rule of thirds. Pretty Boy- non-conforming...