Rule of Thirds Definition: (a.k.a. ROT) The Rule of Thirds is a general guideline for how to create an interesting composition which states that any image—painting, photograph, graphic design—should be broken into a grid with two vertical and two horizontal lines, creating nine equally proportioned boxes.
Composition How to organize the elements in our photographs to create pleasing compositions and learning about framing techniques.
9 Composition Tips:
Rule of Thirds:
The placement or arrangement of visual elements or 'ingredients' in a work of art.
The term composition means 'putting together' any art work that is arranged using conscious thought.
Composition can apply to any work of art, from music to writing to photography.
Assignment #1:
Learning Target (Re7.2.la): I can analyze my understanding of how the world is affected by experiencing visual imagery and the 9 rules of photography composition.
Assignment #2: Illustrating the Rule of Thirds (or ROT for short)
Learning Target (Cr1.1.la): I can use the rule of thirds to compose my photographs.
PRACTICE:
Drag and drop this photo of a field onto your desktop. >>>>
Open it in photoshop.
crop using R.O.T. (7" x 5" x 300ppi)
Use custom shape tool.
Find the grid "tile" & put over the photo to show ROT.
ON YOUR OWN: (Resize and Crop your photos!)
Choose 6 of your best EDITED photos from your scavenger hunt photo shoot folder.
Drag them each down to the Photoshop icon on your dock to open them in photoshop.
Find and select the CROP tool. Notice the lines that divide your photo into 9 sections.
Be sure to add the size parameters of 5"x7" (vertical) or 7"x5" (horizontal) depending on orientation & 300 pixels per inch.
Crop each photo according to the rules of composition that we learned. Main subjects on the lines or points of intersections. (see example)
Use the Custom Shape tool to draw the grid lines over your photo to show that you cropped to the rule of thirds. The settings for the custom shape tool (PhotoShop 2020) should be as shown in the directions to the right. >>>
Repeat the action of opening and placing the 9 square grid over each of your 6 photos.
Save them each as "'whatever name' ROT.JPEG"
Upload all photos, + practice, to G-Classroom
Move on to Assignment #3 to make the contact sheet.
CROP TOOL:
CUSTOM SHAPE TOOL:
To find the grid on PS 2020 or newer:
Go to "Window" on the top menu.
Scroll down to "Shapes"
Click the little "hamburger" lines. (see photo) >>>
Find the "Legacy Shapes" as shown below:
4. Find the folder called "tiles" and the 9 square grid should be in that folder.
- Once you have the "Grid" custom shape selected, then you just need to drag it diagonally across your photo. (As illustrated in this girls reflection photo.)
Video- How to crop and use ROT grid lines on your photos:
Assignment #3 (Contact Sheet)
After you crop all of your photos to 5"x7" & draw the grid lines on them, then you need to make a contact sheet.
Follow the directions for how to make a contact sheet for all 6 of your photos. Make them so they all fit on one page, but are as big as possible.
With this assignment I am looking to see if you were able to use the rule of thirds on and the grid lines on all 6 of your photos properly.