THOMAS CHU PHOTO

Photography Tutorial · 2021-05-30

Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots

Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots

Thomas Chu Photo

When we search the web for tutorials on photographic composition, they usually teach formulas like the rule of thirds, the golden ratio, and symmetry.

These rules are somewhat practical, but there are plenty of counterexamples and situations where they can't be applied.

Because the underlying principles of visual composition are not these formulas, but an understanding of order, structure, balance and tension, and two versus three dimensions.

Today's tutorial starts from one of the underlying principles of photographic vision — balance and tension — and shares how to compose.

Only by understanding the underlying principles can we flexibly apply formulas like thirds and symmetry, know their differences and limitations, and at the same time break free of these rules to compose more flexibly according to the actual situation.

Video tutorial

▶ Watch the video tutorial on Bilibili

HD video:

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1tq4y1j7sK/

PPT

Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots

Related articles:

"Five Underlying Post-Processing Concepts More Important than PS Technique!"

"In Post-Processing, Technique Is Not the Most Important Thing!"

"The Most Important Step in Post-Processing — 90% of Enthusiasts Ignore It!"

"These Photography Masterpieces Were All Cropped Out in Post?"

"Five Major Misconceptions in Post-Processing"

"Local Adjustment Is the Core of Post-Processing"

"What Can Post-Processing Do for Landscape Photography?"

"Put Down the Camera and Attain Enlightenment — Visualized Post for Landscape Photography"

"Compositing = Faking? These 4 Compositing Techniques Actually Restore Reality!"

"Six Compositing Techniques of Modern Landscape Photography"

"On the Proper Limits of Landscape Post-Processing"

"Why Do My Landscape Photos Lack Atmosphere?"

"What Level of Brightness Feels Most Comfortable in Landscape Photography?"

"No Ideas in Post? Going by Feel? Reconstructing the Point of Interest Is the Key!"

Follow @Thomas Chu Photo,

and learn one photography skill every week.

Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition from the Roots

Read in the interactive reader →All tutorials