PROJECT #4: Rule of Thirds, Part 1 & 2

PART 1 (5+ photos):

1. Turn on the 'Show Grid' function in your camera.

2. Take a walk around your neighborhood to observe the world around you.

3. Notice what you have not noticed before.

4. Make FIVE+ photographs.

5.As you make your FIVE+ photos, place your main subject matter in one of the four intersecting points of the rule of thirds grid.

*Your subject matter is of your own choosing.

PART 2 (5+ photos):

1. Document your weekend in FIVE+ photos.

2. In each photograph, place your main subject matter in one of the rule of thirds intersecting points.

*Tell the 'story' of your weekend...but COMPOSE your images intentionally and thoughtfully.

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THE FIBONACCI SEQUENCE & THE GOLDEN MEAN
In visual art, Fibonacci numbers are sometimes used to determine the length or size of content or formal elements.

LINKS
A site that contains an explanation of the Golden Mean and its relationship to the rule of thirds HERE
Another site HERE
An explanation of the Fibonacci sequence HERE.
An animation of the Fibonacci sequence HERE.
Another explanation of the Fibonacci sequence HERE.
A site outlining the mystery of the Fibonacci sequence HERE (Really good!)

NOW, RULE OF THIRDS.
The RULE OF THIRDS is a compositional rule which is recommended for two-dimensional image making. An image could be divided equally by two vertical and two horizontal lines. In general, the four intersections of these lines will be the most interesting places for the main subject(s).

The Rule Of Thirds is a method of arranging subject matter within a two-dimensional frame to maximize a harmonious relationship between all planes of subject matter (foreground, middle ground, background). It is used by photographers, painters, film makers, television shows, etc. As one looks through the viewfinder, compositional lines are drawn (mentally) across the picture frame to divide the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically. The photographer places important elements of the composition where these lines intersect.


By placing your subject in one of the intersections, one creates a dynamic composition that allows the viewers eye to be drawn to different parts of the compostion in an ordered manner. The viewer is allowed to determine the relationship between 'close-up' subject matter and its relationship to the middle distance and background subject matters.

Click on the following titles to be taken to websites about the Rule Of Thirds:
Rule Of Thirds

The following addresses explain the Rule Of Thirds further:
Rule Of Thirds by Kodak
Rule Of Thirds by Silverlight.co.uk
A Beginner's Guide To Rule Of Thirds

Most people will put the seagull right in the middle which is the “dead center”.





The artist places important elements of the composition where these lines intersect. By placing the subject in one of the intersections, one creates a dynamic composition that allows the viewers eye to be drawn to different parts of the compostion in an ordered manner. The viewer is allowed to determine the relationship between 'close-up' subject matter and its relationship to the middle distance and background subject matter.









RULE OF THIRDS


...and some more examples.

PROJECT #3: MACRO (Aperture)

 

PROJECT #3: TIPS & EXPLANATION -- MACRO (Aperture Priority)

 

WHAT IS MACRO?

APERTURE=the opening into the camera.

APERTURE also allows you to control what is called DEPTH OF FIELD. 

DEPTH OF FIELD refers to how wide an area is in focus.  

The purple area represents what is in focus, 

and the lenses show you the aperture setting needed for THAT particular sliver of focus. 

MACRO photography refers to close-up photography.

A lot of macro photography is done with specialty lenses.

However, you can probably make them with the macro setting that is included on most cameras. 

This is the symbol that denotes close-up/macro mode on point-and-shoot cameras:

DIRECTIONS FOR DSLR CAMERAS: 
A.  If you have a DSLR, you might have a MACRO setting (the flower). If so, use that setting. If not...

1.   Set your mode to "A" for "aperture priority." 

2.  Then, set your aperture to as WIDE OPEN a setting as possible. That means, the SMALLEST f/stop number. Look at these aperture sizes in relation to the numbers below them:

Notice how the smaller number, f-1.4, is the WIDEST OPEN aperture setting.

This will give you the smallest sliver of focus possible with your lens (small/shallow depth of field).

3. If you are in Aperture Priority setting, your camera will then set the shutter speed to compensate for the wide open aperture. 

B. If you are working with a point-and-shoot camera, or a phone camera:

1. Set your camera mode to the "macro" function: 

2. If your phone does not have a macro setting, experiment with moving the a bit farther away from the subject, but zooming in a bit. It will take some adjusting, but you can get it.

EXAMPLES & SITES:
Tips for macro photography. CLICK HERE.

Aimish Boy photographs HERE (THEY'RE GREAT!)

Tips for shooting close-up photography with a point-and-shoot camera HERE.

Macro photography at Wiki HERE.

DIY photography discusses macro HERE.

Understanding magnification HERE.

Niko Voyage's beautiful close-ups HERE.

Macrophotography.net HERE.

Black and white macro images HERE.

Stunning b/w photos HERE.

Reversing a lens HERE.

Close-ups with a mobile phone HERE.

An interesting cell phone lens HERE.

Another cell phone lens HERE.

And another HERE.

Alexey Kljatov. CLICK HERE.

John Hallmen. HERE.

The link. CLICK HERE.

 And because I loved, and still love, Bowie, here's a graphic I made using his eyes. He had a childhood accident that left one of his pupils permanently open wide: