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The Right Way to Travel, Weekly Photo Tip
October 17, 2007
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ADVANCED THIRDS: HOW TO INSTANTLY BUMP UP INTEREST IN YOUR PHOTO
By Shelly Perry in Santa Fe, NM.
If you've been reading these photo tips for any length of time, or if you've been to one of our workshops, then you know about the Rule of Thirds.
(Just in case you've forgotten: The idea is that you divide your photo into three equal quadrants horizontally or vertically.
Then, by placing your subject on one of these "thirds lines" you automatically create a more powerful focal point in your photo. For a brush-up on how to do this, see this article in our archives: http://tinyurl.com/343f8j )
Today, let's take it a step further into what I call "Advanced Thirds." Here's how it works:
Using the Rule of Thirds, you place your subject on one of the thirds lines. But to create a stronger, more dynamic composition, you want to make sure that your subject is on the appropriate thirds line for the motion, action, or interest of the photo.
You will have a stronger shot if your subject's action or attention is moving into the image -- toward the center or the opposite third.
Take, for instance, these two pictures that Lori shot in Milan. They were shot minutes apart, from the same vantage point. And all the elements in them are the same. It's just the...
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placement of the two people that's different.
In the first shot, (http://tinyurl.com/2me3dr) the woman with the blue umbrella is in good placement for the Rule of Thirds -- right on the right thirds line. But she is walking out of the frame -- and our eyes follow her out of the shot.
This shot would be much more dynamic if the woman turned 180 degrees and walked into the frame.
The second shot (http://tinyurl.com/2me3dr) shows what I am talking about. Even though the guy with his blue umbrella is farther away, he is walking into the frame, toward the open doorway.
Once again, our eyes follow his lead and walk through the door with him... but this time, due to the subject's direction of motion, we are held in the picture. Our eyes linger and stay within the frame much longer than they do in the previous shot.
Now keep in mind that these people were on the move. They were headed toward their destination, unaware that they were being captured in these photos. Lori couldn't really wait for the perfect composition... she'd likely have missed the shots altogether.
My point? When you get the chance -- even if it doesn't seem absolutely perfect -- take your shot anyway. You never know when the absolutely right moment will arrive.
And while you're angling for that perfect shot, keep not only the Rule of Thirds in mind, but take note, as well, of the motion in your photo. You want your subject moving into the center of the frame, rather than out of it. That'll guarantee you better photos.
Now... before you head out the door with your camera in hand to test-drive today's tip, take a moment to vote for our final photo challenge winner. There's $2,000 in the pot. As Lori said up top, we had to zero-out the voting and start over. So please take a couple of minutes to cast your vote. Here's where you do it: http://tinyurl.com/289sx2
[ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Shelly Perry from Portland, Oregon, specializes in people photography, what she calls documentary or lifestyle portraits. She is known especially for her imaging of children. Shelly's concern for people is reflected both in her sense of purpose and the images she produces. Her images have been seen all over the globe on music CD covers, books, magazines, catalogues, web sites, ad campaigns and even on TV. Her work has also appeared in several local exhibits and gallery shows.
You can meet Shelly in person at our next live photo workshop -- January 31-February 2, 2008 in Austin, TX. We're finalizing all the details right now. To get the run-down first, put your name on our workshop alert list, here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/events/]
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