Intro

Good photography has a way of taking our breath away, whether it’s of something man-made or something that occurs in nature. Photos which follow a few basic rules enhance the communication with their viewers. They tell a story via the elements they use. At times, they even encourage the audience to use their imagination because of their unique perspective. Some of these include the rule of thirds, leading lines, and depth of field. All of these things impact how the audience interprets and relates to the images they see.

Rule of Thirds

https://negativespace.co/silhouette-dandelion-behind-sun/

This image of a dandelion is a great example of the rule of thirds. The subject is off-centered and is more pleasing to the eye, as it appears more natural than things which are exactly in the center of an image. The photographer also made good use of the “negative space” around the dandelion, as the darker shadows serve as a frame. They also balance out the photo by helping it to appear less empty.

Photo by Megan McBride

 

In the photo taken above, the head of the dandelion lies on the left-hand side of the frame. It also intersects with the bottom third of the image. This makes the head of the dandelion the center of the photo. The trees along the bottom help to underscore the rest, leading to an increased focus on the main subject.

Leading Lines

https://negativespace.co/girl-walking-railway-track/

The human eye has a natural tendency to follow lines. Here, the tracks begin at the bottom of the photo and then start to guide the eye upwards and inwards – towards the center of the image. The train tracks draw the viewer in, encouraging them to follow in order to reach their destination. The tracks gradually recede to create a vanishing point as well, leaving the onlooker wondering what lies beyond the edge of the railway. They may even be left wondering if there is an end.

Photo by Megan McBride

Here we can see that the power lines travel across the photo towards the bottom left. This draws the eye to the sunset in the distance, and gives it a feeling of tranquility. The lines also create a gradient going right to left across the image, transitioning from a dark blue to a bright orange. This leaves the “bigger picture” up to the audience’s imagination as well.

Depth of Field

https://gratisography.com/photo/family-of-rubber-ducks/

There is a gradual transition in the sharpness and quality of the image as the family of rubber ducks slowly recedes into the background of the photo. This gives it a lot of depth – meaning the distance between the duck in front is clearer and closer to the eye than the duck in the back. The blurred background ensures focus on the lead duck, which is what the photographer intended. This makes the image more engaging and interesting for the viewer because it mimics the way the human eye focuses on objects.

Photo by Megan McBride

In the image above, the red flower at the front has a sharp focus, making it evident that it is the main subject. The red really pops, and it seems close enough one could reach out and touch it. The white flower to the right is slightly blurry, emphasizing that it is the secondary focus and clarifying the hierarchy of information to the viewer. The rest of the flowers become progressively blurrier, similar to how the human eye focuses on its surroundings.

Conclusion

There are many tools at the disposal of photographers to make their images stand out and to draw in their viewers’ attention. Leading lines help guide the audience’s eyes along the photo, while the rule of thirds helps make the images more aesthetically pleasing and balanced. Lastly, depth of field creates a main focal point by contrasting sharpness and blur. All these tools combined help a photographer to be more effective when conveying messages, allowing them to not just inspire but encourage their viewers to take their own journeys via their imaginations.