Why the Rule of Thirds is Stupid...

I love using the rule of thirds in my photography. I also hate it. In this video I talk about why I use the grid on my camera, and my other favourite composition tool, and also my frustrations about an arbitrary rule of taking photos that I don't think should be treated as a rule at all.

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Thank you :)

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[JamesPopsysPhoto]

Any advice on weeding would be much appreciated...

[bradleymickna]

In college, I learned six rules of composition. At the end of the lesson my professor told the class “these rules are meant to be broken. Once you know how to apply these concepts to a photo, you can mix and match rules or just break them all together. You don’t have to follow these rules”

[DevonLad]

I've had open heart surgery, a quadruple heart bypass. I can confirm, taxes are worse as the pain and suffering of trying to do them never ends.

[Woodpecker]

Really the ‘rule of thirds’ is just a way of saying to beginners: “Don’t put it in the bloody middle every single bloody time!” “Except when it’s a reflection perhaps” “Or when you want to create a particular effect”
I’ve never forgotten our art teacher showing us how often when dropping a standard grid onto a classical painting the key points or lines all aligned with the grid like magic. However it wasn’t a grid of thirds it was the Golden Section, close, but not quite on the thirds. To my eye / brain that little bit closer to the middle usually feels more comfortable. I do a lot of wildlife photography and placing the subject on a third line always seems just a bit awkward or stiff.

Great video.

[j.b.]

Your thougths on the Rule of Thirds reminds me of the line from the movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean" where Hector Barbossa says, " The code is more what you'd call 'guidelines' than actual rules." Thanks for your take on the Guidelines of Thirds.

[theosolberg]

I don't use a grid. When it comes to composition, I have only 1 "rule": my eye must like the composition.

[MarkRosengarten]

When I teach composition I mention it but advise the students instead to pick their subject and compose it to put it into context with its environment.

[James_Fredrick]

You easily have one of the best personalities on all of Youtube. Absolutely love your videos, James. I’ve found your channel about 2 weeks ago and I’ve watched every video so far. You’ve really been helping me through a heavily emotional time in my life by inspiring and reigniting the creative spark within me. Thank you for your dedication to this channel ♥️

[tananuraj]

I switched to golden ratio some time back. Has helped me a lot.

[mathewrupp]

I think rules aren't bad in themselves, for someone learning photography they can be helpful. The rule that drives me crazy is that a photo must tell a story. When I was in photo class many years ago you told a story with a series of photos.

[iKeto_gal]

You’re like the rebellious landscape photographer of YouTube... I love it!

[cheeto.]

Found James a few days ago and been binge watching ever since. Definitely my favorite YouTube channel now. I like how its 70% Photography and 30% Comedy but 110% Awesomeness. Im in Clearwater, Florida USA and we have no goats just miles and miles of beach’s.

[lukajanko]

I don't usually comment on videos but I just have to say how much I love your videos. There's always something new to learn, I love your editing style and your humor is just spot on man! Quickly becoming my favorite photography channel. I appreciate the work you put in James! (Back to not commenting on videos for another 18 months again)

[dancarter]

The rule of thirds is something people with an eye for aesthetics or natural beauty take for granted.

When you're experienced, or naturally talented, there's no real need to follow any specific rules.
However, many people don't fall into that category and struggle to understand basic How many times have you passed a camera to someone to take a simple group shot and ended up with mostly feet or sky? 😂

Once they understand it, the rule of thirds is an excellent, general guide for people without an 'eye' for photography.

I prefer the golden ratio guidelines, whenever possible.

[endtimeimages]

I like the grid as it helps me getting horizontal lines straight in the composition.

[adamnash]

James: The rule of thirds is stupid...
Also James: Set up every scene in this video using the rule of thirds

😂 love the content man keep it up! That idea of a rectangle instead of the whole grid is really solid.

[phillipsmith]

James: "I've got no idea if I'm anywhere NEAR the line..."

Literally ON the line. 😂

But seriously... I hope you see this James because I just want to say that I'm relatively new to your channel and your videos are BEAUTIFUL. I absolutely love the look and feel. Huge respect. I love them so much I went searching for your "How To Vlog" video just to see how you make them. Huge respect, and thank you for the inspiration! 🙏🏽

[SonarWavePulse]

I really like the rule of thirds, and I'd say it's even good to have as a rule and not a guideline.
Beginners can really struggle to convey an artistic idea through a photo without rules to follow, a hard and fast "do this and it will look good" rule really appeals to someone with little idea of what they're doing. I've been through that.

As a person gains more experiance and starts to build their creative side, they will naturally start to get dissatisfied with the rule and will attempt to bend it or break it, this constructive experimentation it exponentially more betterer than the wild flailing that ensues when you give a total newbie a big scary black camera and tell him to go ham with it.

TL;DR: Let it be a true rule for those of us just starting out, those with more experience will treat it as a guideline/aid no matter what it's called.

[epv]

“Got distracted, ” he said sheepishly.

[kemerthomson]

As a corollary, people need to stop using “the Rule” as a critique for photographs. IT’S NOT A RULE!!!