Rule of Thirds and Horizon Lines
I know there is a lot more to the title but I am making the decision to look at just those above. John from Journeys with Johnbo is the host this week, and he has asked us to look at the TOOLS OF PHOTO COMPOSITION: LINES, COLOURS, AND PATTERNS. I did see what he said, but I decided to take it in a different direction with a nod back to last week’s post and learning about photography. I want to look at some basic rules of composition.
Put your hand up if when you first started photography, you put the horizon line in the middle, and many of your subjects were the same. I think one of the first things we all learn when we are beginning to take photos is the Rule of Thirds. Dissecting your image into thirds and placing important things like the horizon on one of those.
So I am going to show an example. Just a heads up, I’m using sunsets and sunrises to talk about Horizon lines and the Rule of Thirds.
In the above image, you can see the horizon line is on the top third line, but the building is also on a third line too, a vertical imaginary one.
They say using the Rule of Thirds makes images better. They are more balanced. So they say. Shall we look at some more?
Putting the horizon on the bottom third line lets more of the sunset into the image. Often, I think putting the horizon there is better because it gives you a better image, and the colours come out better. You are kind of tricking your camera to darken the image more, so the colours come out better.
Sometimes the sunset isn’t the important part of the story, just something that adds to it. In the above case, you would put the horizon line on the top third line because you want to show more of the freeway going into the city.
Other times it isn’t appropriate to put the horizon on one of those third lines.
The tree is on one of the third lines, but it didn’t make sense to put the horizon line on one. In a situation like this you have to make a decision about what is important in the image. For this one the tree was more important.
What happens when it just makes sense to put the horizon line in the middle?
If you ask me if the sunset is reflecting in water, you are left with no choice but to get the horizon line in the middle of the image. If you wanted to put the horizon on one of those third lines then you would lose part of the image, either you wouldn’t get the sunset in the sky, or you would lose the reflection.
I think the Rule of Thirds should be called a guides and not rules. You learn them and then you decide when to break them. For your image, the rules don’t always make sense. You have to work out when to break them and when to follow them.
I think this has come off as a bit preachy, but I know there are people who follow my blog that might get something out of a post like this, I hope. Not my typical Lens-Artists post, and I hope John doesn’t mind what I have done.
A big thank you to John for being our host this week and I hope you will go and see what he has done as well.
If you would like to participate in this great challenge, then go to the following link to find out how to join the Lens-Artists Challenge. Click here for more info. Don’t forget to put a link in your post back to the host.
Great post Leanne .. I agree, a guide not a rule! Super images
Thank you so much Julie.
These are all beautiful, Leanne. I especially liked the one of the freeway.
Thank you Siobhan.
Yes, guidelines they are, and when you know what you are doing – you are free to break them/change them. Well explained and exemplified, Leanne. Loved this.
Thank you Ann-Christine.
Beautiful images, the colour’s are just magnificent! Really love the road and the colour’s and patterns!
Thank you so much Pamela.
Very impressive Leanne as always. Loving the bright colours of the sunset and featuring another set of rules.
Thank you so much Teresa.
Your pictures all have a commanding presence, drawing the viewer completely into the image. This is partly your editing, but also definitely your thoughtful application of compositional principles. Good post, Leanne.
Thank you so much Joanne, that is lovely to read.
Masterful, Leanne. I love the monochrome feel to the post, it’s the “little” things that make it exceptional.
Thank you Sofia.
Gorgeous sunsets and discussions for why you broke the rules.
Thakn you Brad.
Having taken my first photography and filmmaking class in the 1980s, I learned the rule of thirds as a fundamental principle. I have applied it consistently throughout my career in photojournalism and landscape design.
Good to hear, I have too, I mean it can be a great rule. Thank you Tom.
I love that photo with the water reflecting the sunset, and it so beautifully makes your point about rules being guides.
That is one of my favourites too, thank you so much IJ.
Beautiful image.
Thank you.
Forget the rules (is my say).
With stunning colours and landscapes like you’ve shared, I’m drawn to the spectacular sunsets.
Hahaha, fair enough Vicki.Thank you Vicki.
Fantastic photos. I especially love the complexity of the photo centered on the horizon line.
Thank you so much Rebecca.
Just wow Leanne 👏
Thank you Steve.
Leeanne, Fantastic images!
Thank you Beth.
Fabulous images and examples Leanne, your composition of the image with the tree is especially gorgeous 🧡 xxx
Good to hear Xenia, thank you so much.
I was reminded of the song “Sunrise Sunset” while reading your post Leanne. Wonderful images as always along with some very good advice.
I don’t know that song Tina. Thank you so much.
Great advice, and another fantastic set of photos. 😊
Thank you. 😀
I think that’s a very useful exposition Leanne, and a chance to showcase some lovely photos too.
Thank you Margaret, wasn’t sure it was the right sort of post for this.
I think most rule involving any kind of art has to be an advisory. When you set down “unbreakable” rules, you won’t get a lot of exciting new ideas. I learned enough to know what almost all the rules are, but have also learned, as you have, when to ignore them. Sometimes, the pictures needs to be in the middle. I slice thinly when cropping and if I don’t like it, I revert and start over. It is one of the rules of retirement that you are NOT in a hurry. You can do it again — and even again. It’s okay!
I agree, what’s that saying you have to know the rules before you can break them. The problem is the rules don’t always apply. I know what you mean, does it really matter if you do the same image over and over to get to a point where you think it works? I don’t think so. Thank you so much Marilyn.
Great lesson and beautiful examples.
Thank you Egidio.
Gorgeous!
thanks Dawn.
And I thought when you commented on my post that going rogue was skipping the week. >grin< I'm glad to see your post, and there's no reason not to break the rules, whether it's rule of thirds, or a dalliance from the challenge.
Oh yeah, I guess I kind of broke two of them. lol. Thank you John, glad you you aren’t annoyed.
I had never heard of the rule of thirds before I followed your blog. Of course I am not a proper photographer, so I have always just chosen what I thought looked right. Maybe I should look at my photos and see if they line up with this.
If you take photos RJ you are a proper photographer, as far as I’m concerned. YOu should do what you like I think. Thank you.
This series of images is really impressive. I had to go back and finish reading the content because I was too busy with the beautiful images 😁😁
Hahaha, that’s good to hear Ted, thank you so much. 😀
Brilliant run through of how to create a good image using rule of thirds and lines!
Thank you Sue.
A good lesson
Thanks Beth.
I loved this post Leanne. It’s a tutorial with great images. Rules have to be broken sometimes. I like that you called they guidelines.
I was a bit worried about it being like a tutorial. Thank you so much Anne.
Using sunsets was brilliant idea Leanne 👍🏼😀 Wonderful images all of them. Striking colours
Thank you so much Brian. 😀