Why the Rule of Thirds is Stupid...

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 27 сен 2024
  • Head to squarespace.com/james to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code JAMES .
    I love using the rule of thirds in my photography. I also hate it. In this video I talk about why I use the grid on my camera, and my other favourite composition tool, and also my frustrations about an arbitrary rule of taking photos that I don't think should be treated as a rule at all.
    Get my 2019 Book: www.jamespopsy...
    2018 book (last few remaining): www.jamespopsys...
    Prints: www.jamespopsys...
    Presets: www.jamespopsy...
    Newsletter sign up: www.jamespopsy...
    ---
    If you would like a print of any photo that appears in one of my videos, please email hello@jamespopsys.com with a screenshot of the image you would like, and the size you would like (A4 = £30 or A3 = £50). These prints are signed but not numbered. Thanks for your support :)
    Thank you :)
    ---
    MUSIC:
    I get all my music for the videos from Epidemic Sound. Try it out here: share.epidemics...
    ---
    GEAR:
    These are affiliate links, it costs you nothing to use them but I get a small percentage from Amazon when you buy something, so thanks! :-)
    Cameras:
    Panasonic G9: geni.us/g9body
    Panasonic G80/G85: geni.us/PanaG85
    Lenses:
    Panasonic 12-35 2.8 II: geni.us/panason...
    Panasonic 35-100 2.8 II: geni.us/Pana35100
    Leica 8-18: geni.us/818leica
    25mm Leica: geni.us/25mmle...
    15mm Leica: geni.us/15mmle...
    42.5 mm Lumix: geni.us/lumix42mm
    Accessories:
    Backpack: geni.us/mindshi...
    Walkie talkies: geni.us/walkies
    Camera clip: geni.us/PDcapture
    Drone: geni.us/djimav...
    Laptop: geni.us/MbookPro
    Desktop: geni.us/imac2019
    Shotgun Mic: geni.us/rodevmp...
    Big Tripod: geni.us/3legge...
    Red camera strap: geni.us/pdstrap
    Little Tripod: geni.us/Gorilla...
    Anker Charger: geni.us/ankerph...
    UV, Polariser, ND8, N81000 combo (46mm): geni.us/Gobekit
    ND kit (58mm): geni.us/GobeNDKit
    Schott polariser and UV (58mm): geni.us/GobeSchott
    DJI Mavic 2: geni.us/DJIMavi...
    Memory card wallet: geni.us/sdcardw...
    Messenger Bag (Sandstone): geni.us/thinkta...
    Gnarbox: geni.us/lXAy
    Hard Drives: geni.us/WDDrives
    Tablet: geni.us/WacomIn...
    Printer: geni.us/canonpr...

Комментарии • 471

  • @JamesPopsysPhoto
    @JamesPopsysPhoto  4 года назад +82

    Any advice on weeding would be much appreciated...

    • @NatsWright
      @NatsWright 4 года назад +36

      Divide your garden into thirds and work through the "frame" Send those weeds on a journey ;)

    • @garethjones5068
      @garethjones5068 4 года назад +11

      You do a third of them then let Emily do the other 2 thirds

    • @jonathanroberts6665
      @jonathanroberts6665 4 года назад +2

      make sure the you take out the roots to prevent them growing again ... i think thats right 😅

    • @NatsWright
      @NatsWright 4 года назад +2

      @@jonathanroberts6665 Yes! dont leave that hidden third, or it will come back to haunt you!

    • @markborder906
      @markborder906 4 года назад +4

      Best was do deal with weeds is plant so thickly that there is little room for weeds. You do have to get all the perennial weeds out first - dock, dandelions, couch grass etc.

  • @DevonLad
    @DevonLad 4 года назад +170

    I've had open heart surgery, a quadruple heart bypass. I can confirm, taxes are worse as the pain and suffering of trying to do them never ends.

    • @divineoptiks6157
      @divineoptiks6157 4 года назад +12

      Glad you made it 🙏🏻

    • @mattscott573
      @mattscott573 4 года назад +6

      Me too, but I decided the pain & strain of doing my own taxes was too much to risk!

    • @matt309
      @matt309 4 года назад +1

      Just commit tax fraud

  • @Woodpecker1404
    @Woodpecker1404 4 года назад +128

    Really the ‘rule of thirds’ is just a way of saying to beginners: “Don’t put it in the bloody middle every single bloody time!” “Except when it’s a reflection perhaps” “Or when you want to create a particular effect”
    I’ve never forgotten our art teacher showing us how often when dropping a standard grid onto a classical painting the key points or lines all aligned with the grid like magic. However it wasn’t a grid of thirds it was the Golden Section, close, but not quite on the thirds. To my eye / brain that little bit closer to the middle usually feels more comfortable. I do a lot of wildlife photography and placing the subject on a third line always seems just a bit awkward or stiff.
    Great video.

    • @bradleyanderson247
      @bradleyanderson247 4 года назад

      I agree. I hate the term "rule" of thirds. People get that in their head and they think everything has to be right on one either one of the lines or one of the power points where the lines cross. I think more about asymmetry. Yes, for a lot subjects dead center is too static and boring. There are exceptions. Using the "rule" of thirds doesn't help if you have all kinds of distracting stuff at the edges.

    • @lordoftheflings
      @lordoftheflings 3 года назад

      whats wrong with the middle?

    • @lordoftheflings
      @lordoftheflings 3 года назад

      @An idiot... who says the eye has to be "drawn in"?

  • @bradleymickna3432
    @bradleymickna3432 4 года назад +87

    In college, I learned six rules of composition. At the end of the lesson my professor told the class “these rules are meant to be broken. Once you know how to apply these concepts to a photo, you can mix and match rules or just break them all together. You don’t have to follow these rules”

    • @syzygy4365
      @syzygy4365 11 месяцев назад +2

      And it's true. A lot of self thought artists spend a lot of time working and studying how to imply these principles and struggle to see their skills develop past their own knowledge. Talent is equal to the risks we feel we can take. That's not a healthy mindset. Exploration and fun really is what it takes to get good at it. I think when your jumping those tracks of what about your failure did you like and feel is valuable. Not the healthiest mindset. That's why I'm here. I want to brake the rules like an artist one massive micro failure at a time. 😂🤦‍♀️

  • @theosolberg
    @theosolberg 4 года назад +105

    I don't use a grid. When it comes to composition, I have only 1 "rule": my eye must like the composition.

    • @chrisroblin3320
      @chrisroblin3320 4 года назад +5

      I do use the grid, or should I say, I always have it displayed on. But now that you say it, I realize I never use it (except to get trees or walls or sea horizon in the right position) and just do like you do : ''my eye must like the composition''.
      So I'll get rid off that grid , I'll turn it off right away. Thank you Theo !

    • @justanotherguycommenting5754
      @justanotherguycommenting5754 4 года назад +3

      I dont use a grid, because i use a dslr and its too old to have grids in the viewfinder lol

    • @DirtDigglerDetecting
      @DirtDigglerDetecting 4 года назад +2

      Grid is only part of it, but i agree. If you take a second and Look. you can Crop an fix before you click hehehehe :)

    • @jodyssey9921
      @jodyssey9921 4 года назад +4

      Same. I never give any thought to lines or thirds or any of that, I only ask myself if I like it.

  • @mathewrupp8568
    @mathewrupp8568 4 года назад +11

    I think rules aren't bad in themselves, for someone learning photography they can be helpful. The rule that drives me crazy is that a photo must tell a story. When I was in photo class many years ago you told a story with a series of photos.

  • @tananuraj
    @tananuraj 4 года назад +32

    I switched to golden ratio some time back. Has helped me a lot.

    • @Leptospirosi
      @Leptospirosi 4 года назад +2

      The "Rule of thirds" is the lazy man's "Golden Ratio"

  • @kemerthomson
    @kemerthomson 4 года назад +20

    As a corollary, people need to stop using “the Rule” as a critique for photographs. IT’S NOT A RULE!!!

    • @pematamang9268
      @pematamang9268 2 года назад

      Exactly It is not Rule and it is only Guide. Thanks

  • @MarkRosengarten
    @MarkRosengarten 4 года назад +31

    When I teach composition I mention it but advise the students instead to pick their subject and compose it to put it into context with its environment.

  • @iKeto_gal
    @iKeto_gal 4 года назад +9

    You’re like the rebellious landscape photographer of RUclips... I love it!

  • @James_Fredrick
    @James_Fredrick 4 года назад +32

    You easily have one of the best personalities on all of RUclips. Absolutely love your videos, James. I’ve found your channel about 2 weeks ago and I’ve watched every video so far. You’ve really been helping me through a heavily emotional time in my life by inspiring and reigniting the creative spark within me. Thank you for your dedication to this channel ♥️

  • @epv221
    @epv221 4 года назад +23

    “Got distracted,” he said sheepishly.

  • @adamnash2009
    @adamnash2009 4 года назад +68

    James: The rule of thirds is stupid...
    Also James: Set up every scene in this video using the rule of thirds
    😂 love the content man keep it up! That idea of a rectangle instead of the whole grid is really solid.

    • @emanuel_soundtrack
      @emanuel_soundtrack 4 года назад +3

      that it matches with the rule does not mean he uses this rule (...)

    • @nibchip
      @nibchip 4 года назад

      =]] I like you comment (This/That)

    • @ddlcp
      @ddlcp 2 года назад

      issue with ppl when they are too deep & unable to grow & too reliant of few things, trying too hard to co relate everything to their belief

    • @KangSupreme
      @KangSupreme 2 года назад

      @@emanuel_soundtrack That's the joke

  • @endtimeimages3284
    @endtimeimages3284 4 года назад +11

    I like the grid as it helps me getting horizontal lines straight in the composition.

  • @douglasriddle6447
    @douglasriddle6447 4 года назад +7

    The Rule of Thirds is a hold over from painting composition that has been applied to photography. These rules of composition served the Great Masters of Painting well and were used to evoke certain feelings from the viewer, much like certain music notes create certain feelings and moods when combined.
    And the Rule of Thirds is not about lining up your subject or point of interest on the "lines" but at the "intersection" of the lines. Like all rules of composition it can be broken at anytime if it does not serve the subject of your image. Not applying the Rule of Thirds doesn't mean you have a bad photo, but applying it will more often lead to a stronger photo.

    • @jimmason8502
      @jimmason8502 4 года назад +1

      Yes agreed. I see many boring shots where the subject is just plumb in the middle of the frame and it leaves you wondering what is on either side of it? Using the RoT helps place your subject in some sort of context and tells a better story than just centering your subject (although that can work sometimes).

    • @YourMajesty143
      @YourMajesty143 4 года назад +1

      Right, when he was showing the various photos, I thought he was showing examples of times that the ROT works. Yet the B-roll voiceover was of him trying to make a point against that. I got confused bc most of the subjects in the photos fell on the intersecting lines, but it wasn't until I saw this comment that it hit me that he just didn't understand the rule of thirds and that's why it seemed like he was contradicting himself lol.

    • @scallen3841
      @scallen3841 4 года назад

      Well everyone is somehow an expert , yet they never took a photo with anything other then their phone lol .

  • @emanuel_soundtrack
    @emanuel_soundtrack 4 года назад +3

    before i knew this rule i was already called for a competition.... see, the essential part is contemplation of great works by the great painters.

  • @divineoptiks6157
    @divineoptiks6157 4 года назад +31

    Screw the rules

  • @patrikgraj2238
    @patrikgraj2238 4 года назад

    Gotta say, when demonstrating on your bike, you were ON POINT when showing where each third is located haha

  • @markborder906
    @markborder906 4 года назад +1

    As a painter as well as a very amateur photographer, the idea, as I understand it, is that one has to know the rules to know when and how to break them.
    In addition, my late father was fond of quoting (Confucius, I think) “Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the following of fools” very apt at present in so many ways.

    • @CarolyneMacMillan
      @CarolyneMacMillan 4 года назад

      The quote is from Harry Day. A WW1 Royal flying corps fighter ace "Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools."

    • @markborder906
      @markborder906 4 года назад

      Carolyne MacMillan
      @Carolyne MacMillan
      Thank you for that correction, sadly I cannot correct my father. I see, also that Douglas Bader was also fond of it.

  • @biurner
    @biurner 4 года назад +1

    In photography, the rule of thirds is a type of composition in which an image is divided evenly into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, and the subject of the image is placed at the intersection of those dividing lines, or along one of the lines itself.

  • @gregcooper2719
    @gregcooper2719 4 года назад

    This! I hate all the channels that say my photos that they’ve never seen are rubbish because my camera body is not the same brand as theirs, cost 1/4 of what theirs cost, that my lenses are too cheap, my camera bag isn’t the price of a small car, and I don’t have 17 filters worth just shy of a SpaceX mission, and to top it all of I didn’t follow the exact rule of thirds.
    Photography is art! Thank you James!
    Also when you said marketer I pictured you stood in front of a market stall with one of those crazy bumbag things on the traders wear shouting “4 for £1, 4 for £1!”

    • @JamesPopsysPhoto
      @JamesPopsysPhoto  4 года назад

      Haha! I wouldn't flog much! Cheers Greg, agreed :)

  • @misterlestari5772
    @misterlestari5772 4 года назад +2

    Interesting! I've been blinded my whole life by thinking subjects is always best place in the center, but now after seeing your method of placing a subjects in the corner to tell the story of an journey, i'm fully convinced now that the rule of thirds is stupid and I want to try it for myself. Anyway love the tips and keep up the good work!

  • @TheHappyWhisk
    @TheHappyWhisk 4 года назад +1

    Hi James. I never thought about this the subject and the journey to go. Thank you. Even in food photos, there's story and I'm new to all of this but I'm starting to think more and more about story thanks to some other channels and now yours as well. Thanks for the work and time you put into making videos. Cheers, Ivy.

  • @Mark-Roche
    @Mark-Roche 4 года назад +1

    Hey, James, I love your channel you make me laugh when you do go off course and starts talking about something else. I've been learning photography here in London self-taught and James just wanted to say thanks for the tutorials I'm getting some good tip and tricks helping me along the way. Thank you and keep up the good work I am a fan now cheers Mark 🙏

  • @syzygy4365
    @syzygy4365 11 месяцев назад

    I can't thank everyone enough for making these informative videos. You youtubers are real angels for sharing your knowledge and passion with thw world. I know its not something you guys are use to hearing. I'm can't wait to apply these techniques on my own adventures. Have a blessed day. ❤

  • @abhyudaydubey5076
    @abhyudaydubey5076 Год назад

    8:00 is just magical..... man o man it’s beautiful!!!!!!!!

  • @joelwolski
    @joelwolski 4 года назад

    I have to say, this is probably the best video I've seen discussing the Rule of Thirds, and I've seen at least three of them. One thing I like to point out (because I'm the type of guy that likes to point out such things) is that the Rule of Thirds is more of a rule of human perception than it is a rule of composition, and as such, it can be used as a guide in composition. It's kind of like a speed limit; it doesn't indicate how fast your car CAN go, but it's an important guide while driving. Hmm, maybe it's not like that at all. . . .
    Also, I think the technical term is "marketeer". So I guess the gardening thing would make you a "weedeer"? Not to be confused with a wee deer.

  • @bencushwa8902
    @bencushwa8902 4 года назад

    Great video. You're totally right, "Guide of Thirds" is more accurate...but it doesn't seem as catchy.
    One problem that I struggled with early on (and still do from time to time) is not leaving myself enough space in a shot for artistic cropping, rotating to correct level, etc. I've found that using the rule of thirds on my display/viewfinder tends to keep my subject far enough away from the edges of the frame that I almost always have enough space for for those things, even if I'm not planning on using the rule of thirds in the final edit.

  • @ashleythompson4436
    @ashleythompson4436 4 года назад

    Watched this yesterday, and appreciated it a lot. Just noticed FStoppers shared it as well! Nice work, Thanks for keeping us entertained James!

  • @SamDCote
    @SamDCote 4 года назад +1

    Love that tip about moving subjects! I’m gonna have to try that one out- thanks James!

  • @magiccardman8102
    @magiccardman8102 4 года назад +1

    My Dad referred to the rules of photography as the tools of photography. As in the tool of Thirds. When it came to tools he also said to use the right tool for the job.

  • @SirGwl
    @SirGwl 4 года назад

    My favourite video from this channel. Thanks James

  • @TheBigBlueMarble
    @TheBigBlueMarble 2 месяца назад

    Rules are absolutely necessary when you are first learning anything. They simplify things when you lack experience. As you become more experienced, you learn other ways of doing things and you will know when it is best to not follow the rule.

  • @TonyDAdventures
    @TonyDAdventures 3 дня назад

    Thank you for this advice I'll try at my next outing..!!!

  • @PGYTECH
    @PGYTECH 4 года назад

    Thanks for sharing the scenarios where to use the 'line of third' and where not to use! Really being helpful to me🙂

  • @1spitfirepilot
    @1spitfirepilot 4 года назад +1

    Good points! I've often....well once or twice....thought that the golden spiral/section has that kind of ambiguity. Not only, I bet, do 99% of 'serious' photographers never use it to compose a shot, but post hoc, you can overlay it on a lot of images and claim 'look! It follows the golden spiral thingy'.

    • @JamesPopsysPhoto
      @JamesPopsysPhoto  4 года назад +1

      I agree! I think we'd all like to say we consider it more than we actually do :)

  • @JennyDarukat
    @JennyDarukat 4 года назад

    The rule of thumb-thirds..
    The thing about using 2/3 of the frame as negative space is something I really enjoy about your photos honestly, it gives a great sense of scale and contrast with the part of the image where there's something actually going on. Really, really like it a lot.

  • @lindabroer8995
    @lindabroer8995 4 года назад +1

    Thank you! I hate that photography is attached to 'rules'. Rules have a place in the world, but not in photography. My photos need to speak to me and my audience. That's all that matters to me.

  • @brandishwar
    @brandishwar 4 года назад

    With a photo I took last week, it was a female Mallard with a few ducklings. She spotted me so turned to move in the opposite direction from me. So since they were swimming away from me, rather than having them at the lower third line in the frame, I had them at the upper third line in the middle of the frame.

  • @huwjones5879
    @huwjones5879 4 года назад

    Like all photographic "rules" learn them, understand them and then use them if appropriate. By and large when I demonstrate the ROT to a beginners class its like a lightbulb has been switched on. Their compositions improve when they use it. Its up to them to learn when to apply it from there on.

  • @trouwfotomakerij
    @trouwfotomakerij 4 года назад

    Imagine a musical *rule* that tells a composer that he can never create a chord progression from Asus4 to Bm7, simply because someone has decided that "it doesn't sound right".
    Imagine a *rule* that tells a hairdresser he can never dye someone's hair bright purple, simply because someone has decided that this "doesn't look good".
    Imagine a *rule* that tells an architect that he can never design a house with three front doors, simply because someone has decided that it's no use to have more than one.
    Nobody would take those rules seriously, let alone live by them.
    Yet, for some reason I will never understand, photographers everywhere teach eachother that there is something like a sacred Rule Of Thirds, and many other Rules concerning composition. Camera manufacturers even go so far as to incorporate these Rules into the hardware we buy.
    Photography is not exact science. It is an art form, a creative process. Nobody can tell you what is right or wrong about your image. Someone can only tell you they don't like the way you have chosen your composition, or your subject. They can comment on your exposure settings, your choice of aperture, and how they may have done it all different, but that's all.
    In creativity, there are no rules. If you want to photograph a sunset at the beach with the horizon at an angle of 40 degrees, then do it. There will be people that love it. And if there aren't, YOU will still love it. And that might very well be more than enough.

  • @IanSmithFotografi
    @IanSmithFotografi 4 года назад

    Congrats at passing the 100k.. well deserved James. It took longer than your channel merited.

  • @calebmcurby8580
    @calebmcurby8580 Год назад

    I think we should call it the Tool of Thirds. This has multiple benefits: 1) It rhymes with the original = easy to remember. Yay! 2) It tells us this is something in our toolbox, not something that must be followed no matter the cost. And 3) it implies that all things considered, it's a bit of a jerk and will screw you over if it very well pleases.

  • @AlbertoDsign
    @AlbertoDsign 4 года назад +2

    Thanks for the video as always! Just one question that's hurting my brain: Why, in the helicopter picture, the chopper is blue and white, and the reflection is yellow?

    • @JamesPopsysPhoto
      @JamesPopsysPhoto  4 года назад

      That's odd, it's not blue and white on my monitor... Thanks for watching :)

    • @AlbertoDsign
      @AlbertoDsign 4 года назад

      @@JamesPopsysPhoto Yep, weird! I'll send it to you tvia instagram later if you don't mind.

  • @HR-wd6cw
    @HR-wd6cw Год назад

    For teaching purposes (for beginners) the rule of thirds has its place, to help people craft better more impactful compositions. But as the saying goes, once you know the rules, you then know when you can break them. But I think it's a good "rule" (or "suggestion" as some will say) to follow when starting out until you've got a good grasp of basic composition and the generally accepted do's/don'ts of composition). I will say that the ROT is my "fail safe" composition technique that I go to though if I'm having a hard time composing a scene though, I'll start there and sometimes from that I can identify other things or themes/compositional guides to further refine the composition, but if I'm stuck, I'll start with looking at the scene in terms of the ROT.
    But I think at the same time, we don't need to obsess about things like the "power points" (where the horizontal and vertical lines intersect in the grid) and can even have some leeway in terms of being off slightly. Basically, it just helps people avoid the classic beginner mistake of putting everything in the middle of the frame (sometimes it works fine, many times it doesn't though).

  • @stevemozzie6497
    @stevemozzie6497 4 года назад

    Totally agree with the bike bit around 4:45 (ish). I do the same with runners when I'm snapping them. Place them in that position, so that the viewer imagines them continuing their journey through the frame. Great to see you out and about. Had a walk on Bamford Edge the other day, one or two reasonable images again.

  • @Ezel21love
    @Ezel21love 3 года назад

    Haven't you heard what Pablo Picasso said, “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist” , that's why I don't care about any rules in photography. Just capture the moment and enjoy it, then later you will gain an amazing results.

  • @Ozone280
    @Ozone280 2 года назад

    The rule of thirds isn't a law threatening execution and all your pics being taken from you. It's a guide, and it's a guide that works excellently for the vast majority of photographs.
    Breaking the rules is one of the best paths to creativity, but you have to know the rules in the first place to be able to break them effectively and regularly.

  • @RichardSeal
    @RichardSeal 4 года назад

    Love it, agree on the word "rule" it can get to be a mental block for some and a crutch for others who just use that guide and don't really think about the composition. Just makes for dull photos in some cases.
    Also, since moving from the midlands to Florida, nothing has made me miss home as much as your peak district videos. It's such a beautiful place!
    Also, got your books this week. Nice job! I really like the layout in the new book. Thanks!

  • @mypixelchrome
    @mypixelchrome 4 года назад +4

    To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk - Edward Weston.
    The “golden mean” is a much more pleasing guideline IMHO

  • @Everito_TheBurrito
    @Everito_TheBurrito 2 месяца назад

    I use the autofocus points inside my dslr viewfinder for composition and that usually works pretty well.

  • @RealRaynedance
    @RealRaynedance 4 года назад

    I got trapped by this stupid rule. I never used to follow it, and then I saw so many people following it that I ended up using it unconsciously and now I can almost never make myself stop. I don't even have the grid on. I just see something vaguely on the line in the frame and end up putting it there.

  • @joepalmer75
    @joepalmer75 4 года назад

    Rules are made to be broken and you have given some great reasons why. I like your videos because you stay consistent in them by always emphasizing that your photo tells a story...the pieces of a puzzle coming together. Great video and tips.

  • @leetipton
    @leetipton 4 года назад

    Just recently started following & watching your channel. Love your style and content. Real useful information & tips.

  • @Stargate404
    @Stargate404 2 года назад

    Rules of photography are like rules of writing they teach you in grade school. It's okay to break the rules when you know what you're doing. You need to know the rules before you can judge whether they should be broken or not.

  • @chrisroblin3320
    @chrisroblin3320 4 года назад

    100 % Ok with what you say and explain.
    Yet I'd say that you need first a full understanding/mastering (mastery ? I'm french...) of a rule in order to choose to get rid of that rule or not. Once the rule is under control, you can overrule knowing what you do and why you do it.

  • @DI-cm5xc
    @DI-cm5xc 4 года назад +2

    While editing, I like to put the different composition overlays available in Lightroom over the image to see which one I "used". I always seem to find one that more or less fits, no matter how rubbish the image is. Gotta be some sort of lesson there.

  • @elr2141979
    @elr2141979 3 года назад

    There's an old saying "rules are meant to be broken"

  • @M.Oksanen
    @M.Oksanen 4 года назад

    Daaamn I like your edits and your COLORS. Good stuff 👍

  • @donaldgould1293
    @donaldgould1293 4 года назад

    Great video thanks. You mentioned a surfer. I have done some surfing photography of the surfing championships in Sydney and given that a lot of thought in final cropping. My belief is that you can have the surfer almost in the middle. An important part of surfing is the wake that is left behind the surfer, his line through the surf and the wall of water he leaves behind. To me this is an integral part of the image. Consequently to show this and the surfer to full advantage it does not look out of balance for the surfer to be further into the image. Of course this is my opinion and I will probably be howled down.

    • @JamesPopsysPhoto
      @JamesPopsysPhoto  4 года назад

      Good point Donald! Ahh I miss surfing at Freshwater :(

  • @tonysutton6559
    @tonysutton6559 4 года назад

    I've had open heart surgery and it equates to about 50 years worth of tax returns. I used to do my returns in about an hour, it was just a matter of keep the necessary paperwork (or a copy) in one place.

  • @tjc9514
    @tjc9514 4 года назад

    James, thanks again for another great video. Your points mirror my own feelings on the rule of thirds. I've gone from not knowing about it, to using it exclusively, to not really thinking about it much as I'm composing. I would like some sort of an example about when something is okay to be in the middle of the frame. Headshots are the only example that come to mind.

  • @matssandquist9258
    @matssandquist9258 4 года назад

    Hear, hear. Finally someone who put the foot down about the rules. If I look at a photograph I would not comment it with. Nae, that had been a great photograph if he hadn’t miss the rule of third. I am rarely using it in the field. I am more a “cropper” in LR instead.

  • @pix-point
    @pix-point 4 года назад

    I never use the grid in my cameras for the rule of thirds, but to get the horizon straight.
    Besides in my NIKONs the grid separates the view into 16 parts (4 horizontal and 4 vertical) so it would be a "rule of quaters". I don't know why this is, but it helps to find the middle.

  • @OrbitalSnapshots2455
    @OrbitalSnapshots2455 3 года назад

    I don't ever use it, but I have the idea of it in my head.

  • @timwalker6790
    @timwalker6790 2 года назад

    I always interpret the word "rule" as meaning the ruled lines... as in, divide up the frame into thirds with a ruler.

  • @robstammers7149
    @robstammers7149 4 года назад

    Totally agree with you James, I flout this 'rule' all the time, the only thing, I at times, do stick to is a lead into the scene, and that lead takes you through the frame to the distance, and yeh I use, the rule of 2 thirds sky or 2 thirds land, er heck I guess I'm using the rules... What just happened... The rule of thirds works I guess, but we can still bend this rule... Can't we?

  • @morrisbagnall2690
    @morrisbagnall2690 4 года назад

    Bugger! That's today. Been watching your vids until my camera arrived which it did yesterday evening and spent this afternoon plugging in some settings after a bike ride down the Trans Pennine near Lymm. Might head out to the Peak District on the Triumph tomorrow to try out the E-M1 Mkii and 17mm F/1.8. Only lens I have; figured it was time for a single prime challenge. Keep up the great work, James. My wife loved Emily's comments on the vid you did about avoiding photography break-ups such that she frowned when I suggested brining the camera on the bike ride this morning. THANKS EMILY ;)

    • @JamesPopsysPhoto
      @JamesPopsysPhoto  4 года назад +1

      Cheers mate, have a great time, what a day for a ride!

    • @morrisbagnall2690
      @morrisbagnall2690 4 года назад

      @@JamesPopsysPhoto Oh, and in the event that you happen to bump into my wife and I on a hike; I DO NOT have a man crush on you okay. So maybe I've spent more time watching your video's over the past few days than I have with her but it's purely an educational thing so let's just get that straight. Straight! See, I used the most opportune word. By the way, not sure the salmon pink shorts work for you skin tone. Just a little friendly, straight advice. Right; back to the videos.

  • @knarfmo
    @knarfmo 4 года назад

    I agree and think the phrase “rule” might make it more strict than it should be. I do think it’s useful for some new photographers who struggle with composition. Since I was a kid, I’ve used the “rule”, not even knowing about it, just because I thought the pictures looked good and represented the style of photos I saw in books and magazines. But I do see photographs of friends and relatives on social media where the composition is all off because they have never thought of a rule of thirds when composing a photograph. So, I think it sort of comes naturally to some, but not to others. And then there is the whole art of when to break the rule, which I would say you did with some of your ambiguous examples (And they looked great).

  • @prestonjd04
    @prestonjd04 4 года назад +3

    Completely agree, I hate the “rule”

    • @JordanPritchard
      @JordanPritchard 4 года назад

      It’s good for beginners and that’s it 😀

  • @markrigg6623
    @markrigg6623 4 года назад +6

    Its only stupid if you treat it as a "rule".

  • @bfs5113
    @bfs5113 4 года назад

    I thought ROT was awesome when I was in grade school, many moons ago. For our first water painting practice, our art teacher told us to divide the paper into thirds; shore in the lower third, water/ocean the middle and sky at the top third. (No, he didn't tell us to place the sun or coconuts hanging from the palm tree at one of the gold spots.) It was so easy to get our first water painting done. But today's Urban Legend of the ROT is another story. Even after shooting for over four decades, I didn't aware of ROT was mentioned much anywhere, during the film era. For instance, even Kodak publications such as the "Pocket Guide to 35mm Photography" (1983) or "The Photographer's Handbook" by John Hedgecoe (1979) didn't mention it.
    I believed it began with the increasing popularity of DSLR and I had read a lot about ROT and its intersections in various forums. The problem is that according to the excerpt from John Thomas Smith's illustrated book (source: Wiki), he didn't include anything about intersections. So, it is most likely brought over from the Golden Ratio. One creator recently explained why he did it was that it is easier to explain than the Golden Ratio.

    • @alangauld6079
      @alangauld6079 4 года назад

      I have a lot of photo books from my film period - 1975-1990ish that talk about RoT, but they all qualify it as a guideline that sometimes can be broken, or that alternatives (symmetry, spiral, golden ratio etc) existed. It certainly was not “enforced” as it seems to be today. In fact, so far as I can tell, the RoT is really just an easier to use variant/approximation of the Golden Ratio.

  • @Jona69
    @Jona69 4 года назад

    I think the point of the rule of thirds is that you should avoid placing subjects exactly in the centre, not that you should aim them on the thirds precisely.

  • @lisarobertson7011
    @lisarobertson7011 4 года назад

    Thank you James - another great video!

  • @DirtDigglerDetecting
    @DirtDigglerDetecting 4 года назад

    Yes 3rds is the grid, and it is not really just the grid. So you are completely Right :) You Rock

  • @NathanPeterson7051
    @NathanPeterson7051 4 года назад

    I agree the rule of thirds should really not be called the rule of thirds. The way it was taught to me was the subject should be on the line. Similarly to at the end of your video you were on that left line. I was also told that a point of interest should try and land on at least one crosshair of the lines for a simpler photo and a photo with more complexity you should try and have points land on two apposing crosshairs. You had a photo (at about 5:40) of a white village on the bottom third with a towering mountain in the top two thirds (background). As soon as I saw that photo I thought that red roof should have been on the lower right crosshair. This would have given more foreground to the photo showing the distance to the village and still give you the idea of how large the mountain was behind the village taking up a lot of the background but drawing your attention to this quaint little village surrounded by mountain and water.

  • @pixelpeter3883
    @pixelpeter3883 4 года назад +1

    Think that the 'rule-of-thirds' can give budding photographers a good handhold when it comes to compositioning; something easy to think of (helped by those in-viewfinder lines) when they wrestle with their new found hobby.
    BTW: book safely arrived and loved the little note ;-)

    • @kemerthomson
      @kemerthomson 4 года назад

      Excellent point, and also a good reason to call it something other than a “rule.” Which is kind of Jame’s point, I think...

  • @MiguelAtalaia
    @MiguelAtalaia 5 месяцев назад

    Always knew you were a cool guy, now that I saw the Scout, it's confirmed!

  • @lisabradley9288
    @lisabradley9288 4 года назад

    Hello James and family in Chinley and Chapel en le Frith 😀. Great tips and good to see your not braking any bones on that 🚵‍♂️. I'm struggling to visualise you weeding James I always pictured Emily doing that particular chore 🤣

  • @tallicarule1991
    @tallicarule1991 4 года назад

    Precision cycling, you managed to get that front wheel right on the line!

  • @JohnsJunk
    @JohnsJunk 4 года назад

    Always nice to learn new ways to look at things. The thing about physical "rules" or "laws" is that they aren't just made up, they're discovered. The human face is rule of thirds and it's pleasing to the human eye. It's also everywhere you look like you mentioned, you can make anything fit it.
    The image with the surfer that's too near the middle? There are times where it makes more sense to leave room behind to show where they've been than to leave a place for them to go. He's leaving a wake behind which to me is more interesting than the water in front. If I'm shooting a drag car I leave room in front, unless the car is trailing huge billowing clouds of smoke or I can get the business of the lights, the track marshals and and the tower in the shot. Different thought processes.

  • @darkshaman7087
    @darkshaman7087 4 года назад

    As long as you pull off a cracking pic nothing really matters... What i can see with a lot of Photographers they are to picky about all sorts of things when taking a picture, if it’s a wonderful shot that’s what counts 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👍🏼

  • @AvantTom
    @AvantTom 4 года назад

    Limitations can inspire creativity

  • @hannahmiller3513
    @hannahmiller3513 4 года назад

    This was helpful and inspiring. Thank you

  • @pelanth
    @pelanth 4 года назад

    I use it for 2 purposes though. I use it to level my horizon as well.

  • @ThomasGuerrerolives
    @ThomasGuerrerolives 4 года назад

    Appreciate the video. Truly down to earth advice.

  • @rafaelatakami8019
    @rafaelatakami8019 4 года назад +3

    I've always had kind of a problem with the rule of thirds. It doesn't look always right for me, but in some cases it can be really helpful. It just shouldn't be called RULE of thirds hahahahah

  • @johnhubble5156
    @johnhubble5156 4 года назад

    Since watching many of the RUclips videos on landacape photography I have come to the conclusion that they are called "Rules" to enhance the creditability of those that are not familiar with the adage "The wise man stays silent while the fool speaks". 5 essential steps to pefect photos anyone?

  • @alchemist_x79
    @alchemist_x79 4 года назад

    I said this in another video someone recently posted where rule of thirds came up and I think it applies here: I think people take the rule of thirds too serious -- to the point it becomes dogma. I stressed out so much about it starting out. Yes, it's a good rule of thumb and guideline to loosely follow, but it's not a law of physics that can't be broken, and there are times where it may be better to use your intuition as a photographer and let the cards fall where they may.

  • @ewoutgsa
    @ewoutgsa 4 года назад

    My new tripod arrived yesterday! It will take my photography to a whole new level...
    Advice on weeding: don't do it, use a high performance brush cutter instead.

  • @JohnKrill
    @JohnKrill 4 года назад

    Even us documentry or candid photographs use some form of composition aid. For me it is The Rule of Thirds. I can't stop. Even as I am raising the camera I have already composed the picture using the Rule of Thirds. I don't even consciencely think it through. Before the camera gets raised to the eye I have already composed the picture. This means I am constantly seeing the world in thirds. People, mountains, lakes, buildings. All seen using Rule of Thirds.
    OK?

  • @PaulAdamsPhotos
    @PaulAdamsPhotos 4 года назад +4

    James! Finally someone else agrees! Thank you, I am now validated lol.

    • @JordanPritchard
      @JordanPritchard 4 года назад +1

      I think a lot agree with you 😀

    • @PaulAdamsPhotos
      @PaulAdamsPhotos 4 года назад

      James I do have one tip on weeding, get a gardener in lol. I'm too lazy lol

  • @darrin2382
    @darrin2382 4 года назад

    I like your rule of "Bosh"!!

  • @agent_soshi
    @agent_soshi 4 года назад

    I mostly use my grid for horizons or keeping it level and for "zones" in much the same way you described

  • @pauls8675
    @pauls8675 4 года назад

    Another great video. Got you book the other day... great!

  • @MaurizioOiziruam
    @MaurizioOiziruam 4 года назад

    Just the fact that you can put the subject on a line or in an area segregated by one of the lines makes the rule so vague, as you said. But that's ok, it's just a general suggestion.
    Gosh, I basically just repeated what you said... well, that's it 🤷‍♂️

  • @mikepomeroy
    @mikepomeroy 4 года назад

    Maybe I've overlooked it, but do you talk about your bike and bike accessories in any of these videos?

  • @jrd33
    @jrd33 3 года назад

    My Canon viewfinder displays a 4x6 grid. Live view gives you the option of a 4x6 grid or a 3x3 grid. No idea why they seem to like 4x6 so much...

  • @ItsPinecone_911
    @ItsPinecone_911 4 года назад

    I agree about the "rule" of 3rds. My photo club is all about this but I try to just get the shot I want. I must be doing somethinf right because people are always messaging me for prints of my photos.

  • @atscub
    @atscub 25 дней назад

    I have been looking for dime explanation as to why the rule of thirds works, but most people only explain what it is. Is like no one of these people know it they just repeat what they have been told. But I'm not ok with that. I want to understand know when and when not to use it. I agree with you there is no rules to creativity just different methods or thechniques