Een centrale en symmetrische compositie is belangrijker dan je denkt

Saturday 21 September 2024, 14:07 by Nando Harmsen | 2,563 views | 1 comment

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

With the rule of thirds in mind, it is quickly considered wrong when a subject is placed in the centre. Yet a central and symmetrical composition is often the best choice.

Create a central or symmetrical composition, and many people will quickly tell you off. It is wrong, because you have to place the subject one third from the edge. I call this forced use of the rule of thirds.

The rule of thirds simply does not work here. The tree is the subject, and that is where the attention goes. There is empty space on the left, just hanging around. It adds nothing to the composition.
The rule of thirds can work well, but only in situations where it is suitable. In other situations, it quickly creates empty space that adds nothing. It is space in the image included merely to comply with placing the subject one third from the edge.

I believe that thoughtless use of the rule of thirds, and the 'obligation' that the majority of photographers attach to it, is the reason why breaking this rule is also discussed so often. That is why you hear people say that the only good composition is one that does not follow the rule of thirds.

Placing the tree in the centre gives the photo symmetry. It immediately gets all the attention. The entire left side, which is irrelevant, can be cropped away. That gives you a better composition. The subject comes fully into its own.
It is important to understand the difference between a central and a symmetrical composition. A central composition has the subject literally in the centre of the photo. There is plenty of space on all sides of the subject.

A symmetrical composition places the subject and additional image elements on or next to an imaginary vertical line. This line runs exactly through the centre of the image from top to bottom. So this is different from a central composition, although the two are often confused.

All important image elements are placed on or directly next to an imaginary central vertical axis. This is a symmetrical composition.
Is the subject very important in the image, such as in a portrait, architecture or large objects? Then you want attention to fall on it immediately. You achieve this by placing the object in the centre of the image. Either through a central or a symmetrical composition.

If you do not? If you force the rule of thirds? You quickly get the feeling that the photo was taken past the subject. Part of the image adds nothing to the photo. It is empty space.

Sanne in a symmetrical composition. All lines lead towards her, so your gaze goes straight to Sanne.
By doing this, you can no longer ignore it. You force all attention onto the subject. That does not mean you should always blindly place everything in the centre. There are also situations where the rule of thirds does work.

Look at famous paintings, and you will see that central placement is used very often. Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring is a good example. What about the Mona Lisa or Da Vinci's The Last Supper.

The same goes for Rembrandt's The Night Watch, Munch's The Scream, Delacroix's The Swing, and Botticelli's The Birth of Venus. All these works use a symmetrical or central composition.

It is clear what this photo is about: the building. It is placed completely centrally in the image, with all the elements in the image leading you towards this building.
But is the subject part of a larger whole, where the surroundings play a role in the story the photo tells? Then an asymmetrical placement, such as the rule of thirds, can be a good choice.

Bear in mind that there must be a connection between the subject at one third and the rest, often through lines, to prevent them from being separate elements with no connection.

The rorbu (red fishermen's cabins) and the mountain behind it are in a symmetrical composition. It is immediately clear what the photo is about. If the rorbu are seen as the subject, it is even a central composition.
Do you take portraits, photograph architecture, or capture large objects that are important and need to get attention straight away? Then consider using a central or symmetrical composition. It will often give the photo much more impact.

You might also like

• 

  Central composition, or not?

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  Composition tip: Don't place your subject in the centre

  by Elja Trum

• 

  Forget composition rules. Trust your feelings more.

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  Photography rules are not meant to be followed strictly

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  Considering composition when you have no time

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  Compositietip: gebruik een kader om je foto te omlijsten

  by Elja Trum

1 comment

Have your say

Please note: Articles older than a week can only be commented on by signed-in visitors.
Would you still like to comment? sign in or create a free account.