What makes a good photograph? While there are no “set rules,” there are certainly three techniques that can make a photograph look stunning. In this post, I will analyze three skillful uses of photography. These include the rule of thirds, leading lines, and depth of field. I will first demonstrate the principle by analyzing a professional photograph, followed by my own replication of the principle.
Rule of Thirds
Photographer: Matthew Cramblett
Location: Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
https://unsplash.com/photos/xQve4uMsdsQ
The rule of thirds divides an image into nine equal segments using two horizontal and vertical lines. The most important elements in a scene should be positioned along these lines or at points where they intersect. The path of the elephants flows right along the top of the bottom horizontal line. Additionally, the right vertical line follows the direction of the road. This effect adds balance and interest to the photograph.
Photograph by author.
This photograph of my friend posing like a mermaid on a rock imitates the rule of thirds. As you can see, the bottom right quadrant intersects with the person of interest in the photograph. Additionally, the top horizontal line follows the base of the houses and the top of the cliff. The effect is that this photograph feels balanced and the viewer is certainly drawn to the point of interest.
Leading Lines
Photographer: Wes Hicks
https://unsplash.com/photos/W89mte9CdlI
The human eye naturally follows the direction of leading lines. In the context of this photograph, the road begins at the forefront of the image and weaves its way to the back. The human eye naturally traces this trail until it reaches the end of these leading lines. This journey takes us down the road by pulling our gaze into the changing autumn leaves.
Photograph by author.
Above is a photograph I took on BYU campus of my brother. The cement paths point towards him from every direction. He stands at a cross section and the end of a diagonal plot of grass. Additionally, his body is centered with the most vertically high part of the building. These leading lines truly draw the eyes to his position as the center of the photograph.
Depth of Field
Photographer: Chuttersnap
https://unsplash.com/photos/zQWuVlP_bNI
Photography is a two-dimensional medium, and the photographer utilizes this principle to convey depth. The bunches of bananas seen in the middle of the photograph are clear and focused. However, the clarity of those in the background begin to fade away. This technique helps the human clearly recognize that the bananas in the middle are closer than those in the background.
Photograph by author.
Above is a photograph of my keyboard and laptop screen. As I tried to portray depth of field, I focused my lens on the bottom of the keyboard. The keys are clearly visible and sharp. The screen can still be seen in the background, but it is much less sharp. This helps portray the distance between the two elements in this scene.
Summary
Though a beautiful photograph can come at any given moment, utilizing these three techniques can help add style to one’s photography. As I have learned about the rule of thirds, leading lines, and depth of field, I have come to identify them in the photographs that I see. Often, a photograph that I perceive to be exceptionally great includes one of these techniques. The application of these techniques can help almost any casual photographer to improve the quality of their images.