Rule of Thirds showing motion is the challenge for #DogwoodWeek2. Most people know the Rule of Thirds, but if you don’t, no worries. I’ll explain it to you. This week is a composition challenge. Week one was a story telling Challenge.
Not every photo comes out of the camera perfect, especially when Mom is trying to capture us in action. The photo above is the one we chose for the challenge this week: Composition: Rule of Thirds Motion. You already know what the rule of thirds is, now is the time to use it. It’s easy to use Rule of Thirds to show motion in your picture.
Not a bad photo right? You can see I’m walking across some ice, but how can the Rule of Thirds make it even better? One should try to have the subject of the photo touch no more than two of the intersections (red circles), and the background should be in a 1/3, 2/3 ratio when possible. Having your subject on the right third of the photo facing the left two thirds can imply motion to the left. The purpose of the Rule of Thirds is not to take a better quality photo. It is to give anyone looking at your photo a certain feeling or perspective. I’m smack dab in the middle, but the photo and motion would be better if I was not dead center.
By shooting with a high resolution, photos can be cropped to create a better composition. The photo above is an example of not cropping correctly. I’m already on the left side where my motion visually stops. It would be better to leave me in the middle like the original photo.
The photo we chose for the week two challenge is above. I’m cruising along with my motion clearly heading to the left side of the photo, my body is in the bottom third of the photo, and my head is almost on the bottom right red dot if we were to use the grid. It is a pretty simple concept, and can really change the way a subject flows in the photo if you are working with motion.
That was a terrific photo lesson with a terrific photo and your ice skating skills are wonderful too!
With being so short and long, it takes a lot for me to tip over!
We love you skating along on the ice, Madison, and you are a brilliant teacher!
Thank you. I was having a lot of fun that day.
Don’t slip! Great picture. XOXO, Sparkle
My center of gravity is perfect being low and long. I rarely fall over.
Great shot, and a perfect example.
Thank you.
that is a super photo… and the pawsition of your paws look as if you are one of that stars on ice ;O)
I will need to work more on my twirls, but I’m getting the skating basics down pretty well.
I didn’t know this, but I’m terrible at photography. I’m sure amazed at what folks can do that know what they are doing.
Have a fabulous day and week. ♥
Photography is not everyone’s thing. Mom loves it, so she finds it all very interesting.
Great job! This is one concept I actually do understand and try to put into practice when I can. Oh, we hope you weren’t running across that ice – it looks pretty slick!!
I was walking quickly, but with my center of gravity, I’m at low risk for tipping over.
Wow! awesome photo and we loved the lesson. Be careful on that ice though! Whoa!! Watch out! haha your friend Lilly
I spent most of the time off on the side in the bush and woods. Mom is careful not to let us run around on ice.
You explained it very well, Madison! I haven’t really tried to apply the Rule of Thirds Motion, but I think some of my photos might look like I did.
It is always a good coincidence when that happens!
Very good tutorial! Thanks for the tips ♥
I’m sure Skipper knows all about it. He is a great photographer.
What a pawfect explanation Madison! You are soooo lucky to be a subject of your Mama’s! Our Mama is claiming she needs to get some pictures of “not dogs” and heads off with her camera…she has joined the #Dogwood Facebook page…and will also be sharing her shots on HER Instagram page…
Sheesh!
xoxo,
Rosy, Jakey & Arty
That is great! Hopefully we will find her photos. There are hundreds of them each week. Mom is trying to use us whenever she can.
Great explanation, i learned a lot from this, and i like the bottom photo and now i understand why!
It is probably the easiest lesson to learn in photography, but first you need to know what it is.
What a great example!
Thank you.
Thanks for explaining. You have really pretty motion.
Thank you, I was skating over the ice without skates.
The Rule of Thirds is a good friend to have, especially when photographing pets. Well done.
Mom says it is one of the simplest things to think about, but also makes such a big difference much of the time.