Colour

The vocabulary of colour includes:

Hue: refers to the names of the primary colours, red, green and blue etc.

Value: lightness and darkness of the colour, determined by the amount of white or black added.

Intensity: the purity or saturation of the colour.

Monochromatic colour: use of one colour where only the value of the colour changes.

Analogous colours refer to colours that are close together on the colour wheel (similar) and seem to “get along”. Also called harmonious, analogous colours are often used in visual design to create a soothing affect.

Complementary colours: colours opposite to each other on the colour wheel (e.g. blue-violet and yellow) represent colours positioned across from each other on the colour wheel. Complementary colours exhibit more contrast when positioned adjacent to each other: for example, yellow appears more intense when positioned on or beside blue or violet.

Different Hues make up white light

Colours are also referred to as warm or cool because of our association with various elements in our surroundings. Red, yellow and orange are considered warm colours, whereas blue, green and violet are considered cool colours. These contrasts are relative, since yellow-green appears cool next to red, orange or yellow, turning warm when placed next to blue-violet. Photographers can position different colours in an image to maximize contrast between them and 

also to provide perspective. Perceptually, cool colours tend to recede into the distance, whereas warm colours appear to advance forward.

Colour star containing primary,secondary, and tertiary colours.

  

Pastel colours reflected in this pond suggest a tranquil feeling

 

Pelagic Goose Barnacles attached to an old stump - their blue colour adds mystery to those unusual organisms.

The Rule of Thirds in Photography Composition…is it Really a Rule?

The Rule of Thirds is the most basic photography composition technique that every new photographer should learn.  Because of its simplicity and ease of application, it is the most widely used composition technique.

Todays’digital cameras have a rule of thirds grid overlay as an option. Although the camera manufacturers are providing the option, many users may not actually understand why it is there. On some cameras there is a “Display” button on the back of the camera. Pushing this will cycle the display through different options, one of which can be to turn on the grid overlay. On other cameras it may be necessary to use the menu function to find the control for showing or hiding the grid display.

But the question is…is it really a rule in the first place? Let’s explore.

What is Photography Composition?

Photography composition means distilling the chaotic world to create a meaningful photograph which viewer can appreciate. In other words, it is the arrangement of elements in an organized way to create a meaningful photograph.

Any photograph you take needs to be composed! If you just point at something and shoot, it becomes a snapshot not a photograph.

A Snapshot, as the name suggests, is a spontaneous shot which does not have any intent or a thought process, is not composed and may lack artistic value. However, it does capture that spontaneous once in a life-time moment. Which is very important in many scenarios.

A Photograph on the other hand is made with an intent or thought process in mind. It calls for representing a scene in an organized and/or artistic way so that it evokes an emotion in the viewer.

The Rule of Thirds is one of the many photography composition techniques which helps the photographer to organize the elements in a photograph in a meaningful way.

What is Rule of Thirds?

Rule of thirds is a guideline to compose a photograph which is visually compelling.

If you divide a photograph with 2 equally spaced vertical and horizontal imaginary lines, you will get 4 intersection points as shown below.

Rule of Thirds grid created with two horizontal and vertical lines with 4 intersection points (marked in red). It is the simplest of the photography composition technique.

Using Rule of Thirds in Landscape Photography

It is the most widely used rule in landscape photography. You might have an idea by now.

Place the Horizon on Top Third line or the Bottom Third line of the Grid

You can create compelling compositions of the landscapes by placing the horizon either on the top third line or the bottom third line of the grid as shown in below pictures.

Rule of Third grid overlay showing the horizon on the top third line or top horizontal line

Place the Main Subject of Interest on Left Third or Right Third line of the Grid

If you have a vertical subject, like mountains, trees, etc, which is the main subject of interest in your landscape photograph, then it is often good to place them on left or right third. Keeping it dead center makes it boring or not very appealing.

A picture cropped without and with the rule of thirds

Using Rule of Thirds in Wildlife Photography

The concepts explained here for Wildlife Photography can be applied to Portrait and Macro Photography too.

Place the Bird or Animal on either Left Third or Right Third line

You can make interesting composition of birds or animals by placing them either on the left third or the right third line of the grid. This will ensure that you have enough negative space or background to balance the photograph.

White tailed deer is placed on the left third of the grid making it more interesting by showing its habitat

It is very important to take care of the spacing since we feel uncomfortable if there is not enough space for bird or animal to look or walk into.

Place the Bird’s or Animal’s eye on One of the 4 Intersecting Points

Since we understand that the bird or animal’s eye helps in making a connection, it is good to place the eye on or close to one of the 4 intersecting points to create interest.It is not always possible to have the eye on the intersection point, and also it is not necessary. In most of the cases, the eye can be placed on top third or horizontal line instead. It typically makes for a stronger impact if the eye is in sharp focus, even if not all of the image of the creature is sharp.

Green heron’s eye is placed on the top third of the image instead of intersection point

Is it really a Rule or a Guideline?

What do you think?

• If you think it as a rule and follow it, then all your photographs will look alike losing their effectiveness in the long run.
• If you think this as a guideline, then you can make a choice whether to use it or not, depending on what is needed to represent the scene in the best possible way

When to Use it and When to Break it?

Break it, when it does not make any sense to use it!

In almost all the above given example, you can break the rule. The question is…why do you want to break it?

It is always good to see if it works well in the first place, and break it, if it does not.

Conclusion

The bottom line is:

Don’t place the subject in the center of the photograph!

Learn the rule/guideline. Understand why it is called as rule in the first place.

• Does it make any sense to you?
• Do you agree with the logic?
• Does it really make your photograph compelling if you use it?

Using the Elements of Design

Now that you have experienced using the 7 Elements of Design (Line, Shape, Form, Space, Texture, Tone and Colour) and the Rule of Thirds you have the basic tools to understand why a picture appeals and has impact. Remember that photography comes from two Greek words – Photo and Graphy – Light and Writing. So in essence photography is writing with light. Pay particular attention to where

the light is coming from, to maximize Form and Texture or outline shape, for example. As with any language practice in using this information will likely result in images you will appreciate.