Photo tip # 1 - The rule of thirds

Taking good photos is not complicated. You have to be in the right place, and be inspired by a few rules! In my opinion, this is the most important of all, that of third parties.

The rule is so present that even find it explained on Wikipedia.

In landscape as in portrait, the idea is to imagine the image divided into nine equal sections, like a tic-tac-toe. The most important elements of the photo are placed on these lines. For example, the horizon, the body, the eyes.

With my brother Sacha in Bulgaria.

Look at the difference in positioning in the next two images. On the ground, I placed my tripod right in the middle of the road and framed the landscape as I wanted. I then mentally noted a place on the asphalt where I should be when the camera was triggered to be placed in the right third of the screen, so as to swing the fence to the left.

In the second photo, cropped, I am in the center. I then have the impression of being in front of the landscape more than of being part of it, and it is more difficult to quickly see what is important in the image.

Rule respected.

Rule not respected, I am in the center.

Room to breathe

When looking at a photo or movie, you don't know what is outside the frame where the image ends. Our brain therefore interprets the end of the image as being a wall. The space to breathe is the void left in front of the subject's face. If the gaze is too stuck against the wall of the photo, we will then have the impression that the subject is trapped in the frame, or cannot breathe.

The frame is therefore generally adjusted according to the positioning of the person. We place the device, or the subject itself, according to this empty space.

All the pictures

Remember that these tips can be applied to all photos, and with any camera. With the best cameras, however, you may need to adjust the focus first by aiming directly at the face in the middle of the frame, while half-pressing the shutter release button to achieve autofocus, then reposition the frame so as to respect the rule of thirds. But this step is not necessary if you are using a phone or a camera that has built-in facial recognition.

In any case ... good photos!

OTHER TICKETS IN THE PHOTO