Re: Help: Rule of Thirds

[TERRYAKING@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 16/7/04 11:43:25 am, wildimages@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:


> Help!
>
> I've just put together some 2-Pi (360 degree) cylindrical panoramas and
> I'm having trouble understanding where the left and right thirds are.
>
> Camera club judges are really hot on things being correctly placed and I
> just can't work it out.
>
> Perplexed


If it's a 360 panorama with both ends joined, there are no 'thirds'.

The concept of 'thirds' reflects a misunderstanding by club judges' of the significance of the 'golden section'which applies to shapes that are roughly rectangular. 

It was the Greeks who, some two and a half thousand years ago, found that a line which divides a rectangle so that the short part is in the same proportion to the long part as the long part is to the whole, was, somehow, more satisfying to the eye. If there is nothing in the rectangle, that division will be roughly a third. But other things affect the issue. it becomes a matter of balance.

If the small section is black and the big part white, a division roughly on the thirds will look wrong. For thing to look right, the black part will need to take up a smaller proportion of the whole rectangle. The ssame will be true if the contrast is between very strong colours and muted colours. This is a form of colour balance.   Other factors include   what is going on in the picture or how important the people are.   All these things have to be taken into account in assessing the balance. 

If a club judge insists on the thirds regardless, you will know that they are wrong. There is no sense in arguing the point at the time. 

Just feel superior !

Terry






Terry King FRPS

RPS Historical Group (Chairman)

www.hands-on-pictures.com/

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