Comments on: The ‘Odd Rule’ of Composition http://www.digital-photography-school.com/the-odd-rule-of-composition Discover how to use your digital camera with our Digital Photography Tips. We are a community of photographers of all experience levels who come together to learn, share and grow in our understanding of photography. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:38:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jeff Carter http://www.digital-photography-school.com/the-odd-rule-of-composition/comment-page-2#comment-214156 Jeff Carter Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:42:09 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/the-odd-rule-of-composition/#comment-214156 This makes perfect sense to people that are able to see the world in terms oh Phi. Others have referenced it, but no one really suggested how the golden ratio applies to an image. First of all let's just approximate that the golden ratio (Phi) is 1:1.6. If the distance between AB is 1, and the distance between BC is 1.6, Phi is achieved. If the distance between CD is 1.6 more compared to BC, Phi is achieved again, etc. In this image, depending on how I measure the distance between the boys, the ratio comes out anywhere from 1:1.15 to 1:1.20. It's not the golden ratio, but it approaches it. Interestingly, however, the ratio between the distance from the top of the sky and the horizon compared to the distance from the horizon to the bottom of the shadows (heads) is 1:1.6. The ratio between the distance from the shadow feet to the shadow heads compared to the distance from the shadow heads to the bottom of the photo is 1:1.7. This is why I think having multiple subjects (if not just an odd number of) or thoughtfully placed individual subjects in a photo can make it more interesting. Rule of thirds is an easy for beginners to grasp, and eventually start thinking slightly differently about composition as it relates to the golden ratio. Trey Ratcliff gives a behind-the-scenes example of setting up a scene to achieve the golden ratio for an HDR composite of three monoliths (there's your odd number of subjects ). Check it out: http://youtu.be/mwRlj3BZypQ. This makes perfect sense to people that are able to see the world in terms oh Phi. Others have referenced it, but no one really suggested how the golden ratio applies to an image. First of all let’s just approximate that the golden ratio (Phi) is 1:1.6. If the distance between AB is 1, and the distance between BC is 1.6, Phi is achieved. If the distance between CD is 1.6 more compared to BC, Phi is achieved again, etc.

In this image, depending on how I measure the distance between the boys, the ratio comes out anywhere from 1:1.15 to 1:1.20. It’s not the golden ratio, but it approaches it. Interestingly, however, the ratio between the distance from the top of the sky and the horizon compared to the distance from the horizon to the bottom of the shadows (heads) is 1:1.6. The ratio between the distance from the shadow feet to the shadow heads compared to the distance from the shadow heads to the bottom of the photo is 1:1.7.

This is why I think having multiple subjects (if not just an odd number of) or thoughtfully placed individual subjects in a photo can make it more interesting. Rule of thirds is an easy for beginners to grasp, and eventually start thinking slightly differently about composition as it relates to the golden ratio.

Trey Ratcliff gives a behind-the-scenes example of setting up a scene to achieve the golden ratio for an HDR composite of three monoliths (there’s your odd number of subjects ). Check it out: http://youtu.be/mwRlj3BZypQ.

]]> By: Kaotikjezta http://www.digital-photography-school.com/the-odd-rule-of-composition/comment-page-2#comment-211550 Kaotikjezta Fri, 23 Sep 2011 22:16:22 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/the-odd-rule-of-composition/#comment-211550 Here is an example of the rule of thirds, the reflection is in the bottom third of the frame and the largest tree is in the side half hence if you drew a line down the middle to the top of the water, then across the top of the water the picture would be cut in thirds and the subjects framed using the rule of thirds: http://kaotikjezta.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4aas5f Here is an example of the rule of thirds, the reflection is in the bottom third of the frame and the largest tree is in the side half hence if you drew a line down the middle to the top of the water, then across the top of the water the picture would be cut in thirds and the subjects framed using the rule of thirds:
http://kaotikjezta.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4aas5f

]]> By: Krista http://www.digital-photography-school.com/the-odd-rule-of-composition/comment-page-2#comment-211469 Krista Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:48:52 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/the-odd-rule-of-composition/#comment-211469 Has anyone heard of fibonacci numbers? Leonardo of Pisa aka "Fibonacci" came up with a number sequence some time around 1200, the pattern: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34... the formula is basically adding the previous two numbers to equall the next sum (1+1=2, 1+2=3, ect) Although i'm unable to explain this thoroughly, I know that this pattern can be found in almost all living things, and is pleasing to the eye. If you were to look at nature patterns i.e number of pedels on a flower, the total would be a fibonacci number. Because these numbers are pleasing, art began following this sequence. That is why 3 looks better than 4 in my opinion. I have also noticed in my photography that I naturally shoot objects with this pattern just because it's naturally appealing. Look him up, maybe you will understand this amazing set of numbers better, because there is so much more depth into the system. Has anyone heard of fibonacci numbers? Leonardo of Pisa aka “Fibonacci” came up with a number sequence some time around 1200, the pattern: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34… the formula is basically adding the previous two numbers to equall the next sum (1+1=2, 1+2=3, ect) Although i’m unable to explain this thoroughly, I know that this pattern can be found in almost all living things, and is pleasing to the eye. If you were to look at nature patterns i.e number of pedels on a flower, the total would be a fibonacci number. Because these numbers are pleasing, art began following this sequence. That is why 3 looks better than 4 in my opinion. I have also noticed in my photography that I naturally shoot objects with this pattern just because it’s naturally appealing. Look him up, maybe you will understand this amazing set of numbers better, because there is so much more depth into the system.

]]> By: Karese http://www.digital-photography-school.com/the-odd-rule-of-composition/comment-page-2#comment-211457 Karese Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:47:58 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/the-odd-rule-of-composition/#comment-211457 Even in decorating, I was told that placing 3 items on my end tables gave a pleasing balanced look. Even in decorating, I was told that placing 3 items on my end tables gave a pleasing balanced look.

]]> By: Dave R http://www.digital-photography-school.com/the-odd-rule-of-composition/comment-page-2#comment-211408 Dave R Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:52:15 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/the-odd-rule-of-composition/#comment-211408 Hey, are there not 6 figures in that image?!!!! Hey, are there not 6 figures in that image?!!!!

]]> By: Dave Tunstall http://www.digital-photography-school.com/the-odd-rule-of-composition/comment-page-2#comment-211404 Dave Tunstall Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:33:00 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/the-odd-rule-of-composition/#comment-211404 If you think about it in the way the mind processes what it sees then the number of objects is as follows 1. Sole centre of focused attention drawing in the eye 2. We instinctively want to create two halves and either balance or counterwieght one against the other 3. The smallest number of items required to make a shape - the triangle, the rule of thirds - it's not only everywhere but the number is small enough for us to count and process each of the elements 4. Again we instinctively try to balance these in to quarters and create something geometric we recognise - a square, diamond, rhomboid we almost make the items a pattern or frame 5. This is the largest number of objects the brain can see and know how many there are without having to count, above this we have to work to look at each object, recognise it and count it which is why it appears cluttered. So I guess "odd rules" because it's pleasing on the eye without us trying to subconsciously process it into something else If you think about it in the way the mind processes what it sees then the number of objects is as follows
1. Sole centre of focused attention drawing in the eye
2. We instinctively want to create two halves and either balance or counterwieght one against the other
3. The smallest number of items required to make a shape – the triangle, the rule of thirds – it’s not only everywhere but the number is small enough for us to count and process each of the elements
4. Again we instinctively try to balance these in to quarters and create something geometric we recognise – a square, diamond, rhomboid we almost make the items a pattern or frame
5. This is the largest number of objects the brain can see and know how many there are without having to count, above this we have to work to look at each object, recognise it and count it which is why it appears cluttered.

So I guess “odd rules” because it’s pleasing on the eye without us trying to subconsciously process it into something else

]]> By: Chantal http://www.digital-photography-school.com/the-odd-rule-of-composition/comment-page-2#comment-211394 Chantal Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:29:06 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/the-odd-rule-of-composition/#comment-211394 @Denise .... I do photographh instinctually and I think I knew this "rule" in the back of mind all along, but I haven't actually heard of the odd-rule before, even though I do know about the rule of thirds and the golden ratio. Even if this is a photography site, I think this tip is still helpful to someone who didn't know about it before. Don't just assume we've all learnt the same thing in elementary school. I agree with what Wayne Bretl said as well. @Denise …. I do photographh instinctually and I think I knew this “rule” in the back of mind all along, but I haven’t actually heard of the odd-rule before, even though I do know about the rule of thirds and the golden ratio. Even if this is a photography site, I think this tip is still helpful to someone who didn’t know about it before. Don’t just assume we’ve all learnt the same thing in elementary school.
I agree with what Wayne Bretl said as well.

]]> By: Wayne Bretl http://www.digital-photography-school.com/the-odd-rule-of-composition/comment-page-2#comment-211362 Wayne Bretl Fri, 23 Sep 2011 03:17:21 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/the-odd-rule-of-composition/#comment-211362 If you have been doing this instinctively all your life, that doesn't mean that you have been conscious of it! So noting explicitly that it generally seems true is a worthwhile tip for something to consider when your composition just doesn't seem right. If you have been doing this instinctively all your life, that doesn’t mean that you have been conscious of it! So noting explicitly that it generally seems true is a worthwhile tip for something to consider when your composition just doesn’t seem right.

]]> By: Brandy http://www.digital-photography-school.com/the-odd-rule-of-composition/comment-page-2#comment-211361 Brandy Fri, 23 Sep 2011 03:01:43 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/the-odd-rule-of-composition/#comment-211361 Denise, Years ago when I started cosmetology school, my instructor , who was getting her instructor license, told me one of the first things she learned about teaching, was realizing that while it was common sense to her, to know how to drape a client. But she forgot that she had to learn it as well. So even though All this discussion on odd numbers may seem automatic to you, it's not for everyone. Allow them that don't know, the freedom to learn, and be excited to learn! Denise, Years ago when I started cosmetology school, my instructor , who was getting her instructor license, told me one of the first things she learned about teaching, was realizing that while it was common sense to her, to know how to drape a client. But she forgot that she had to learn it as well. So even though All this discussion on odd numbers may seem automatic to you, it’s not for everyone. Allow them that don’t know, the freedom to learn, and be excited to learn!

]]> By: Sérgio http://www.digital-photography-school.com/the-odd-rule-of-composition/comment-page-2#comment-211310 Sérgio Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:43:02 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/the-odd-rule-of-composition/#comment-211310 True, but on that particular picture there are 6 persons. And it works great, in fact thats why the picture is great. True, but on that particular picture there are 6 persons. And it works great, in fact thats why the picture is great.

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