Photography is visual candy for readers and various audiences–they depict what words can’t. But there are many factors that are detrimental to compose a professional looking picture. The three main rules of thumb in photography are the rules of leading lines, rule of thirds, and the depth of field.
Leading lines leads the reader’s eye to the main focal point of the image. In photography, there are ways the photographer can ‘prepare’ and figure out how he wants to capture a moment. Leading lines help to capture the attention of the viewer.
Leading Lines
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Serdar Ozturk, 24, Chicago
http://blog.trashhand.com
In this image, the photographer utilized what he had, by capturing the walls straight on to lead the eye to the chair. The graffiti on the sides adds the creative side of the photo, but the lines and beams on the sides are the backbone to this photograph.
Photo by Luci Garner
I took a photo of my front porch at my house. The beams go straight down and provide a distant-like photograph, drawing attention to the two chairs that escort the poles. The windows on the sides also help drag the eye down unconsciously.
Rule of Thirds
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Serdar Ozturk, 24, Chicago
http://blog.trashhand.com
Ozturk’s fabulous picture is cut perfectly into thirds, giving importance to all three sections. The open cupboards are the focal point on the left, the mess in the middle, and the fridge/table complete the final section.
This photo I took of my nephew works well because the top right intersection meets the subject of the photo. The bottom left intersection is an even balance where the window meets the chairs from outside, where the viewer’s eye looks second.
Depth of Field
Photo by Shawn H. Nichols, Seattle-based photographer https://shawnhnichols.smugmug.com
Nichols focuses in on the art that is made. This entree is an obvious point in the picture, while the blurry background gives it the context. If the food wasn’t focused in on, then the chef would quickly become the main theme of the image.
The last photo I took is focused in on two things rather than one–her hand/wedding ring, and the gun she is holding. The scope and ring attract the eye, while the blurry background continues to compliment the photograph.
Summary
Now knowing the rules of photography, it is clear that there is obvious preparation that goes into it beforehand. It gives each photo character rather than being a conglomerated mess. The planned creativity and sporadic nature of professional photography is easy and pleasing to look at. The rules of thumb are simply guidelines to enhance the rich character of the photo.
Luci Garner 