I don’t keep my hands inside the ride at all times. I sometimes drive over 70 mph. (They don’t call me Parnelli Shelley for nothin’!) I don’t always follow the rules, and I’m sure you don’t ALWAYS follow them either. These rules are made to be broken — but like most rules, they are a pretty good guideline that when followed, have a positive outcome. In composition (although we are talking here about photography, this applies to all art, i.e. web design too), the two rules most observed are (1) the rule of thirds, and (2) the golden spiral (sometimes called the golden mean or the divine proportion).
The rule of thirds is called a “sham” by some, and is claimed to be the most useful composition technique by others. In photography, it is a concept used to produce images that are more engaging and better balanced. It involves mentally dividing up your image using 2 horizontal lines and 2 vertical lines, and then positioning the important elements of your scene along those lines, or at the points where they meet.
The focal points of your photo don’t have to perfectly line up, but by positioning the horizon along a line in a landscape photo… or a person off to one side to allow “breathing space”… can create a photo that is more visually appealing. If it’s a person you’re photographing, it looks less like a mugshot. In landscapes, applying this technique can provide an anchor and a focal point.
The mathematical principal of the golden spiral dates back in artwork as early as 400 B.C. There have been books written about it explaining the concept in great detail — all about the creation of the universe, the specific number that determines how a sunflower’s seeds grow, the path a hawk takes when diving at it’s prey, and even how the spirals in a galaxy are laid out. It’s nature y’all!
In photography, this principal involves mentally evaluating your image, and positioning the focal points within a flowing spiral. It’s all about energy and movement… and again, nature. Just like with the rule of thirds, your image doesn’t have to line up perfectly.
Evaluating your photos and their composition is a fun exercise as you practice to improve your skill. But remember… RULES ARE MADE TO BE BROKEN! Except the golden rule my Mom preached to my brother and me growing up, “Do unto others what you would have them do to you.” Don’t break that one. Karma is a bitch.