Inspiration in 3 parts.....coffee, chocolate and a picture

This week I wanted to look at my favorite rule from photography class that I think works really well in the digital scrapbooking. I love this rule and really need to remember to use it more often. But it is difficult to use in scrapbooking when we often don't know where a page is going to end up going. I don't always have a clear vision of the entire layout when I start scrapping.....
So let me introduce ( or remind) you to the Rule of Thirds....

The basic principle behind the rule of thirds is to imagine breaking an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so that you have 9 parts of equal distance and shape. As you’re creating a new layout, take into account the entire image you are trying to create in your mind. With this grid in mind the ‘rule of thirds’ now identifies four important parts of the image that you should consider placing points of interest in as you create your layout. Not only this - but it also gives you four ‘lines’ that are also useful positions for elements in your layout.



The theory is that if you place points of interest in the intersections or along the lines that your layout becomes more balanced and will enable a viewer of the image to interact with it more naturally. Studies have shown that when viewing images people’s eyes usually go to one of the intersection points most naturally rather than the center. Using the rule of thirds works with this natural way of viewing an image rather than working against it.





Using the Rule of Thirds comes naturally to some photographers and for some digital scrapbookers, but for many of us takes a little time and practice for it to become second nature.
In learning how to use the rule of thirds (and then to break it) the most important questions to be asking of yourself are:



* What are the points of interest in this layout?


* Where am I intentionally directing the viewer's eye?



Once again - remember that breaking the rule can result in some striking art - so once you’ve learnt it- experiment with purposely breaking it to see what you discover.