I gave up on the third method long ago, I just shoot it as it is..and I have had some fantastic results..
Any photo samples? Sometimes when I just shoot without spending much time on composition I find myself cropping to the rule of thirds later anyway! I find it difficult to "fill the frame", cutting of bits of objects/peoples faces etc. Any tips for this technique?
The 'Rule of Thirds', as I understand it, is natural in the way we tend to view things/objects - therefore it's not unusual that you find yourself leaning that way.
Leading Lines is another compositional technique (challenge currently in voting stage).
Framing (challenge just recently completed) is another technique.
The following link has some easy to read thoughts on composition. Have fun!
Every now and then yes...looking at your profile it appears your top 4 finishes used 'Rule of Thirds' and/or 'Leading Lines' and they did quite well. ;^)
Originally posted by keegbow:
The Rule of Thirds is very old and is only getting older, as with any Rule it needs to be broken every now and then.
You're bored with the rule. Think of projects where you deliberately break the rule. However, try to determine why the image works while breaking the rule.
Instead of worrying about the rule of thirds, take three or four pictures of the subject and decide which you like best. That's what I do. Because the rule of third composition may just be the best for that picture and then it may not be. Just depends really on the subject and what you are trying to convey. For me anyway.
