Rule of Thirds and Principals of Underpinning Composition

9/5/2014(Week 6 & 7)

Imani Najwa Binti Nordin (0319405)

Rule of Thirds

Lecture :
4.a(week 6)

Todays class started a bit later then usual which was around 10 am.As soon as I got to class almost half of my classmates were already starting to form a circle.As  usual we had our morning class discussion and todays topic was about the Rule of Thirds.The Rule of Thirds is basically a powerful composition technique for making photos more interesting and dynamic,in simple words how to take a good photo.For todays lesson there wasn't much confusion as everyone understood what it was all about.However there were a few here and there regarding "What is a Composition?" and "How do we change the settings in our camera to make it display the grid lines?".As soon as discussion was over Mr Vinod and a small presentation regarding The Rule of Thirds.He explained what a composition is and how there are many more other compositions such as Rule of Thirds,Counterpoint.He also had made up his own theory which was the triangular composition and multipoint.After that Mr Vinod went deeper into detail about underpinning composition such as (domination/emphasis,isolation,balance,repetition,symmetry/asymmetry and harmony) 

4.b(week 7)

Todays lecture Mr Vinod talked about the previous exercise 4.a.He asked around questions about the challenges we've faced when carrying out our exercise.When he was done explaining and giving us our general feedback for last weeks exercise .This time around we didn't have a group discussion instead he proceeded to give us a presentation about the "Composition of Rule Of Thirds".Mr Vinod explained that there are many different types of composition such as,balance,harmony,repetition,alignment,unity,contrast,solicitation,scale and proportion,domination,symmetry/asymmetry and perspective.He explained that it would take a while for us to get use to the composition terms.Mr Vinod did mentioned that as a beginner we tend to take photos like any other photographer.This is however natural,because who wouldn't want to take photos like them.However Mr Vinod said that with practice we will begin to notice tiny details that others might overlook and these composition  rule will then come naturally to us as if it is pre programmed in our brains.A higher observation skills lead to higher thinking skills that can analise and interoperate better work outcome.Moreover,Mr Vinod again stressed about the importance of documenting our work in our e-portfolio because it will help benefit you in the near future.

Exercise 4: The Rule of Thirds & Principals underpinning Composition

Instructions to Exercise:

Exercise 4a: Rule of Thirds (week 6)

Capture 3 Images adhering to the Rule of Thirds

1. Using 1 person
2. Using 3 persons
3. Using a scenery
4. Place image on the document for printing,one image with the Rule of Third lines visible and another without the lines side by side 

(Use the Zone System Concept)

1.One person

 With Rule of Thirds grid

Aperture:3.5,Shutter speed;1/400,Iso:200

 Without the Rule of Thirds 

Aperture:3.5,Shutter speed;1/400,Iso:200

 *for some reason the photos on my blog appears differently then in camera (sepia)

sorry sir for the inconvenience

Retake :

With the Rule of Thirds grid
Aperture:3.5,Shutter speed:1/400,Iso:200

Without the Rule of Thirds Grid

Aperture:3.5,Shutter speed:1/400,Iso:200

Mr Vinod mentioned that my previous photo(above) ,the background was a bit too distracting so I've decided to ope for a simple background where you can see clearly the subject located at the 3-rd most corner left of the vertical grid.

*again sorry for the inconvenience of the photo colour (sepia)

2.Three person 

With the Rule of Thirds grid

Aperture:3.5,Shutter speed:1/1000,Iso:200

Without the Rule of Thirds Grid 

3.Scenery 

With the Rule of Thirds grid

Aperture:3.5,Shutter speed:1/1600,Iso:200

 Without the Rule of Thirds grid
Aperture:3.5,Shutter speed:1/1600,Iso:200

Retake:

With the Rule of Thirds grid

Aperture:3.5,Shutter Speed:1/320,Iso: 200

Without the Rule of Thirds Grid

Aperture;3.5,Shutter Speed:1/320,Iso:200

4a) Rule of Thirds (5%)

Marking Criteria: The student must show evidence of knowledge and ability to use the Rule of Two-Thirds under the prescribed circumstances. Evidence of composition enhanced by cropping is acceptable in order to heighten the dynamism or intensity of the picture. Students must showcase their knowledge on exposure using the zone system.

Exercise 4b: Principles underpinning composition(week 7)

Capture 4 Images adhering to any of the mentioned principles below:

Domination/Emphasis • Isolation • Balance • Repetition

Alignment • Contrast • Rhythm • Symmetry/Asymmetry

Harmony

Print all 4 images on an A4 as instructed in class.

(Put to use what you have learnt in the Zone system exercises here)


1.

Contrast

With the Rule of Thirds Grid

Aperture:3.5,Shutter Speed: 1/60,Iso:200

 Contrast
Without the Rule of Thirds grid

Aperture:3.5,Shutter Speed: 1/60,Iso:200

2.

Repetition

With the Rule of Thirds grid 

Aperture:4.0,Shutter Speed:1/500,Iso:200

Repetition 

Without the Rule of Thirds 

Aperture:4.0,Shutter Speed:1/500,Iso:200

Repetition

With the Rule of Thirds grid :

 Aperture:4.0,Shutter Speed:1/200,Iso:200

Repetition 

 Aperture:4.0,Shutter Speed:1/200,Iso:200

3.

Alignment/Repetition 

With the Rule of Thirds

Aperture:5.0,Shutter Speed:1/1000,Iso:200

Alignment/Repetition  
Without the Rule of Thirds

Aperture:5.0,Shutter Speed:1/1000,Iso:200

4.

Perspective

With the Rule of Thirds

Aperture:3.5,Shutter Speed:1/125,Iso:200

Perspective
Without the Rule of Thirds
Aperture:3.5,Shutter Speed:1/125,Iso:200

5.

Isolation

With the Rule of Thirds Grid 

Aperture:5.0,Shutter Speed:1/800,Iso:200

Isolation 

Without the Rule of Thirds grid

Aperture:5.0,Shutter Speed:1/800,Iso:200

4b) Principals underpinning composition (5%)

Marking Criteria: The image must show evidence of the dominant principle used and the supporting principles (if any) underpinning the composition. The principles underpinning the image must be named and should be visible within the image. Students must showcase their knowledge on exposure using the zone system.

Feedback:

General Feedback:
4.a(week 6)

As for todays general feedback Mr Vinod talked about our exercise 4.a's outcome.Mr Vinod asked around if we had any problems regarding the exercise.However he said we shouldn't have any problems regarding the exercise .This is because we should  have used subjects of our choice ,like our friends for instance, this is because we can control where the subject stands and how it can affect the picture outcome.He also gave feedback regarding the one person shot,altho most of us did an okay job capturing the image using the Rule of Thirds concept,the background however was unsatisfying. Mr Vinod explained that a background should interact and complement the subject.The subject has to stand out from the background and be the main focus.I remembered clearly what Mr Vinod said "A background can either make or break the subject".Moreover,Mr Vinod  reminded us religiously to always question everything that everyone has said to you.meaning read,do your own research and find out the answers,contextualise the theory.As for the scenery exercise,Mr Vinod told us to not only take a photo just for the sake of completing the exercise.This is because if we just do it blindly most of our photos look flat.It is important to have a main point of interest so the subject can stand out and outshine the background/counter point interest.This will result in the outcome of a good photo.A good photo consist of a well exposure,well composed,good subject and a good lighting. 

4.b(week 7)

For todays general feedback there wasn't much to say except that  Mr Vinod just simply reminded us to add our dates and exercise tittles to our e-portfolio as well as to print in i t out on our hardcopy.This is because it is best to present accurate information when handing out important documents.

Specific Feedback:

4.a(week 6)

Mr Vinod said that my exercises were accurate,the evidence that I provided indicated that I've understood the Rule of Thirds theory.He particularly loved my 3 person shot which made up the Triangular Theory and said that I've developed an eye.The single shot on the other hand would have been better if the background was slightly blurrier or with less distractions.My scenery shot was okay.Mr Vinod thinks the picture needs more work as the 1/3rd-2/3rd division was clear to my intent but it didn't turn out to be aesthetically pleasing.Other then that,I did an excellent job on my observation.He told me that my reflection writing was quite revealing in a sense that I have developed the ability to reflect my progress(metacognitive skills). 

4.b(week 7)

Mr Vinod said that my redo for exercise 4.a was very nice.However he advised me if I had taken the road within the 1/3rd area or  2/3rds of the area it would have been a much more interesting shot .He mentioned that my exercise 4b was excellent!!Great work.Other then that,there was no issues regarding my e-portfolio,just to keep up the good work.

.Hardcopy:

Reflection:

Experience :

4.a(week 6)

From the experience that I've gotten I've realised that it is a bit challenging to take a good photo,altho you don't have to be too precise in placing the subjects at each grid,however even so it was a bit challenging to take the photograph but then again its probably because I took candid shots of people passing by.I did the exercise with my classmate Wafaa and boy was it a hot day.We ended up sweating and when we were just about to give up we got the right shots.I wondered if anyone thought we were psycho, just taking random photographs.I also came to realised that you have to work fast at the same time be patient.Since I took candid shots of people passing by it took awhile for  me to get the right shots,most of the time people will begin to interfere (a person steps right in front of you or my camera's to slow).

4.b(week 7)

From doing the exercise 4.b I've found out that it is not easy to find a well compose subject to be photograph.Many times I've tried to take a couple of pretty scenery's, however in the photo they look completely flat and unappealing.This mostly had to do with the lack of main subject to focus on.Either the trees look all the same or they didn't stand out very much.The weather also played a major factor.It was sunny yet cloudy at the same time.From a hill top the city looks like its covered with fog. I captured quite a few shots however they were unsatisfying to me so I had to retake some of them.

It was also kind of confusing at first fo rme to take these composition  shots.I've seen a couple of examples from google and it made me think that that was the only way for me to portray how the composition would look in a photo.So i guess you could say that I was having a brain block for a while.After much figuring out and understanding the composition I 've begin to understand and found different ways where I can take the photograph.I must say it was a bit challenging at first sinceIm not used to taking photos like this.I mostly prefere landscapes.However I've slowly got the hang of it.

Observation:
4.a(week 6)

I've also observed that not all rules are rules really,depends on how you look at it,they could also be part theory.A theory is something without proper proof.However I think The Rule of Thirds is  partly a theory and part rule.This is because you can always break free from the rules,after all rules are bound to be broken sooner or later.I've also came to realised that you can make up your own theory based on your own research and findings.For instance Mr Vinod had made two theory's of his own which is the "Triangular Theory" and the "Multipoint".I've learned that the Triangular Theory is sort of like a framework in the shape of a triangle,where there is a main point of interest and another two ares of interest.This means ,when observing the photos our eyes will stick within the triangular frame.The Multipoint on the other hand is where the point of interest exceeds more than three points.There is still the need to determine the main point and then only can you determine the rest of the assisting points.I've found this theory to be quit useful and true.Judging by these photos you can see how the theory comes to practice

The triangular theory

As you can the the main subject is located towards the left corner of the photo,if you can tell he is located at the centre of the vertical line of the left grid.Then you will see the lady at the far right corner,she is very far off corner that her body is within the vertical line of the right side corner that you cant see her hand.Then your focus will shift towards the two subject.The boy and girl.They are the third assisting points.The photographer did a good job capturing the image as you can tell the boy and girl appear to be walking to the left direction.A good photo also gives a sense of direction so the image does not appear static.

Basic Rule of Thirds

As you can see the cheetah is located off centre at the vertical line of the left grid.Off centre photos tend to give subjects a sense of direction.

4.b(week 7)

I've also observed that most of the photos that I took almost relate to one another's composition,for instance

The photo above looks like it is an alignment but it can also be a repetition or a perspective.

I think it is possible for one photo to have more composition then others.

I've also begin to realise that everyone is stepping up their game.This I've realised when I was taking a couple of photos with the rest of my course mates,we all begin to take our separate shots and most of them took quit unique and interesting shots.I've came to realised that what Mr Vinod said was true after all,since we've been practicing taking photos ,we become more observant over the tiniest details that it makes us all unique in taking different angle shots.

Findings:
4.a(week 6)

I've found out that the rule of thirds grid is a helpful tool.I used to hate the whole grid lines on my digital camera as I thought it always prevented me from taking a good photo.Now days however, I've came to realised that having the grid helps me balance and compose the picture better.The grid lines help give me an idea as to where the object should fell upon when I want to take a photo.I've found out that it is best to avoid taking photographs of objects in the centre as this can create a sense unpleasantness because the object will appear to become static or complex.As for landscapes the tip is to place the horizontal line to align with the upper or lower thirds of the image so that the picture does not look to balanced.However this doesn't mean that you have to worry about perfectly alining with the thirds of an image.The rule of Thirds is just a basic simple guideline.I've also found that you can also cheat a little and crop existing photos just to improve the photo.It is quite amazing how by cropping an old photo you can give it new life.On the other hand,I've found that there are also limitations,sometimes you are working with an image that has nothing to be applied to the rule of thirds.Don't fret you can still work with"the spirit of the rule" just try and make the object look as if it is slightly off centre . Lastly,the most  exciting part is to break free from using the Rule of aThirds and unleash the inner rebel in you.Sometimes having a subject in the centre of the photograph is not bad.Lets say you want to emphasise the subjects symmetry,then by all means go for it.

example of beneficial symmetry 
photo taken form previous week (zone system)

4.b(week 7)
I've found out that different composition creates different interesting photos.These different Composition can also bring about certain emotion to your viewer, for example isolation give you a sort of sad feeling as tho it is depressing or it can give you a sense of loneliness,contrast on the other hand is bold striking colours,which viewers will find interesting.

I find it amazing that with just rearrange the subject or also by taking the photograph from a different angle/perspective the whole photo changes based on its composition balanced.I've also found out that even though the exercises gets tougher week by week I've been getting the hang of it.Taking photos for my exercises doesn't seem like a chore to me anymore.