Magic Photographic Ratio

[K. P. Harrier]

What has been YOUR photographic railfan experience with the so-called Golden Mean, or the Rule of Thirds, a ratio of 5 to 8, more precisely 0.618 (or 1.618)?

[tree68]

I'm a firm believer in the rule of thirds. Take a look at virtually any picture you find attractive, and you will find the rule of thirds in use. I see it regularly in the Picture of the Day.

As for the picture aspect - 4x6 or 5x8 seems to be a pretty well accepted ratio. Not sure if it's because we're used to it or because it's attractive to the eye. Sometimes things like that end up being driven by history, ie, those were sizes that print paper was made in...

[Modelcar]

...Yes, rule of thirds seems to be the attractive format to follow. I suppose when trying to compose a shot I pay more attention of the main subject and how I want to frame it and not wheither it's adhearing to the thirds rule....And of course I'm an amateur photographer but sometimes get some good shots. With prints, 5 by 7 is the size I use in general for reproduction on photo paper. Now with a new digital in the family, who knows what that will produce and how we'll use it.

[tomnoy3]

I try to use PHI (K.P.'s 1.618) in my more photographic oriented pictures as much as possible. But when Im just taking pictures of prototypes for help modeling I just snap away.

-Tom

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

...Yes, rule of thirds seems to be the attractive format to follow. I suppose when trying to compose a shot I pay more attention of the main subject and how I want to frame it and not wheither it's adhearing to the thirds rule....

You'd be amazed at how turning the camera just a little turns a snapshot into a great picture. People have a tendency to center their subject in the viewfinder, be it a face or a headlight. Putting the subject, and/or the horizon, on the third lines also forces you to consider the background. You didn't notice that pile of junk did you?

Occasionally on the MSN Chats, someone will post a picture for comments. More than once I've done a little cropping and improved the shot. I do the same thing to my own stuff, too.

[Modelcar]

....Yea, a pile of junk or that utility pole and wires hanging down or the one item in the picture that is white or at least bright and is inflluencing the metering....