Breaking compositional rules is a tough thing to pull off, so I decided to re-visit it two days in a row.

Before I talk about this image, let’s look at what makes a great image.

The grid or the rule of thirds.

That’s the main component of making a great image that most photogs just don’t do.

The tic-tac-toe grid means that placing your subject on the lines, especially where the lines cross. The areas of convergence.

That’s the place to be to make very strong compositional images.

Now breaking the rules is talking about placing images outside and inside those traditional areas.

Making that work is the key to breaking the rules.

So, let’s take a look at this image.

The main subject, a young lady from one of my photography classes, has been placed in the lower middle of the frame.

Not the typical or traditional place for your main subject.

But, there are other elements that really help this to become an intriguing image.

1) The two windows are near the top left and right areas of convergence.

2) Her outstretched arms are near the lower horizontal line on the grid.

Those two rules that were followed, help to make the image work and pulls the viewer into the frame.

Our next image is similar.

It has the subject in the center of the frame, yet it uses the symmetry of the windows to draw our viewers into the image.

The subject’s outstretched hands also help the symmetry of the photo.

Learn the rules to be able to bend and break them as needed to have even more tools to utilize to make your images have more variety and strengths.

Be inspired!

Hi, I wanted to talk today about photographic composition and the rule of thirds.

This image illustrates how each frame needs to be carved into thirds, both vertically and horizontally. The areas where the lines meet are referred to as the areas of convergence.

This photo is of my niece, who I asked to stand against the wall of the entry way of my old house. I spent about 20 hours converting this wall into an Italian villa-like wall. So, I took a picture of it anytime I could!

Her yellow dress and the flowers on her shirt matched the wall, so I placed her face in the upper left area of convergence. The viewer’s eye is naturally led to these areas, so the goal of the photographer is achieved.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!