The subject has been positioned in the bottom left-hand corner along with the intersecting imaginary rule of third lines. If you look at the grid we have placed over the photo, the rule of thirds basically implies that you should always place your subject line along one of those intersections as opposed to in the center.
When taking photos, we are often presented with lines. These don’t have to be hard lines, but perceived lines that can guide our vision in a certain direction. These are called leading lines – lines that train the viewer’s eye to a certain point. When taking photos you should look for leading lines and utilize them to create points of interest
The depth of field (DOF) is an essential part of photography. DOF concerns what is in focus within your photo, or the zone of sharpness that will appear in focus within a photo. If you have a central subject in your photo, the depth of field concerns what will be in focus behind, and in front of that subject. If everything is in focus, the photo is considered to have a deep depth of field. Alternatively, if hardly anything is in focus, the photo is considered to have a shallow depth of field.
There is nothing worse than seeing a “wonky” horizon. This rule is simple – whenever you are shooting something with straight lines or horizons, ensure they are horizontally straight! If you took a snap of the below beach at a slight angle with the sea tilting upwards to the right, it would look odd. This example has been cropped and straightened and looks magnificent. Consider using the gridline option on your camera to help with this.
The golden ratio is a mathematical ratio that creates the supposed perfect alignment for a photograph’s main point of interest. If you use this ratio and place your subject matter within the preferred spot, your eyes will naturally be drawn to it, and then filter to the rest of the photo afterward. If you want to dig deeper, read our article about the golden ratio in photography.
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