Really insightful, make more videos like this! What's incredible is the intentionality that you put into your photos and I wonder how you are able to do this so quickly on the spot. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Mads. I find thirds are useful in some circumstances, but not always. It's one tool in the toolbox. In this video I especially found chopping off the top(or sides) illuminating. I'm usually trying to include those, but I see now that stopping just before the edge accents the expanse.
Thank you Mads for sharing your experience and knowledge! Incredibly informative and useful video! Especially the "chop the top" method is something I got to use more often. To me it’s very impactful 💪 Again… big thanks! Much appreciated 🙏
Totally agree Mads, the rule of thirds has it's uses but stepping beyond this as you discussed through the application of some critical thinking in relation to your compositions really takes your photography to another level. This was a great discussion and for anyone wanting to understand more on this subject, your video will be a fantastic source of reference as not only do you explain it clearly, your wonderful images demonstrates each point perfectly. Absolutely love the image of you standing on the sandbanks and also the one of the penguin looking out to the ship. Hope you are having an enjoyable visit with Nigel and look forward to seeing what you created
Great advices 🙂 If we study the old classic landscape painters we will see that there is actually no news. The major difference is that today we know more about perceptions and we have advanced technology accessible.
Hi Mads, at 9:20 that flock of birds flying in the misty foggy morning on the lake, given that they are in the middle of the photo and flying right to left they almost qualify as flying out of the photo not into the photo as you were commenting earlier. If they'd been principally clustered almost under the right tree and not in the middle of the two trees then they'd be flying into the photo, however, it would then be unbalanced... it's a balancing act which of these "rules" to follow and when you have only a split second to take the shot, it comes down to a after action analysis of what you did rather than getting all these rules right in that split second. Then just hoping that your muscle memory develops over many thousands, tens of thousands of photos to make those split second decisions.
Yes, it is funny, when making a shot, he is guided by 2-3 rules, which are enough for a beautiful photo, and the rest are discovered later during analysis. But this is absolutely not important, the main thing is that we know about all possible methods and apply the right ones depending on the situation. Regarding the birds, you are wrong. The birds evenly fill the frame, they work as a group and create repeating patterns. Even if you look at their heads, the walrus's head is also directed out of the frame, which creates a balance with the direction of the birds
Hi Mads, I've tried on many, many occasions to use the 'rule of thirds' and without success. I found trying to stick to the 'rules' impacted negatively on my photography and I was missing images I just let go. Issues with poor mental health led me to seek counselling and through many sessions I learned to find my own comfort zones, For my landscape photography, it was whatever I saw and found beautiful and inspiring, photograph it in whatever way I felt was right for me. I effectively threw many of the rules away, but I found a great sense of freedom. It may not work for everyone, it is a personal thing and I have made my photography my own. I'm an amateur and I love my photography and I feel more in touch with my surroundings than ever before. It is a satisfying feeling just to go through the images from a day out with the camera. Some images are not so good, some are okay and sometimes an odd one here and there is just what I wanted. A little bit of treasure and a good feeling.
Thx Mads. Always watch your vids. Heading back to dingle soon to get some more shots. It’s a place a beauty as you know. I don’t even know if I really use the rule of thirds. I mostly just like to balance my images. And then I also think that everyone has their own perception that works. Hope to meet one day in Ireland
I have always found given my Metalography images my intuition as to what gets the results I want and at many instances my choice when viewed by professionals were rewarded. In other words only in specific instances did the Rule apply. And at the same time hearing in my minds eye the Rule didn't always apply.
I entered a photo in to be judged by a panel of judges and the image was spot on for the rule of thirds…. I actually scored lower because it was “to perfectly placed” according to the feedback from them. They said I needed to add more tension by moving the horizon. That was a first for me.
Let’s apply the approach - good art will defend itself and need no further explanation (on technical aspects). Most points presented absolutely cooperate with the rule of third and cropping the image to remove sky has nothing to do with it. Same goes with picking the subjects. My best tip is: visit art galleries when you travel. Find inspiration from all around the world. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn from few hundred years of painting history.
Rule of thirds is good for those who are learning about composition, but like Mads showed there are much stronger composition rules for landscape photography. Unfortunately some people hook up on it for long time..
I totally agree with you. Rule of third is older than photography, where light and dark color gradation creates lines in the painting where aspect ratio was not fixed for the frames. Even sometime painters had to paint on uneven walls. Hence they had to stick with this to lead the attention of viewer from parts to parts of the painting. These days we have fixed aspect ratio most of the time and multiple ways to increase contrast to lead the eye point to point. 🙂
hahaha the Whale into? come on Mads, you really to create some amazing photos.. Just seen the birds in your fav image they are not fling in or out lol Its funny you can pick any photo and say something about it.. but in general you speak some very wise words.. and another 11:50 your facing out the frame but it works for other reason.. it really is using ALL the tools to make a photo work.. but you are right what you said at the start always try to have sujects that move to be going into not out of the frame.
A subject dead center can work, but can look odd, and anything almost but not perfectly centered looks odd. Focal points should never be too close to the edge of a picture. If you avoid these, you end up close to the rule of thirds.
The rule of thirds is something that doesn't even enter my mind when composing an image. Nor the golden spiral, especially after seeing the classic pooping dog "explained" by it. :p
Nice review of composition tools. I’m not a rule of thirds hater. I think it reminds me to think of fore, mid, and background. Forcing subjects exactly to the intersecting lines, however, is too strict an application.
Wow. One of your best episodes ever. You are a teacher, and you make those concepts accessible by explaining them clearly.
Really insightful, make more videos like this! What's incredible is the intentionality that you put into your photos and I wonder how you are able to do this so quickly on the spot. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve worked on newspapers for years and yes subjects heading out of the frame is a no-no. 👍📸
Thank you so much, Mads. I find thirds are useful in some circumstances, but not always. It's one tool in the toolbox. In this video I especially found chopping off the top(or sides) illuminating. I'm usually trying to include those, but I see now that stopping just before the edge accents the expanse.
Thank you Mads for sharing your experience and knowledge! Incredibly informative and useful video!
Especially the "chop the top" method is something I got to use more often. To me it’s very impactful 💪
Again… big thanks! Much appreciated 🙏
This was an exceptional educational video. You did a great job explaining the approaches.
Totally agree Mads, the rule of thirds has it's uses but stepping beyond this as you discussed through the application of some critical thinking in relation to your compositions really takes your photography to another level. This was a great discussion and for anyone wanting to understand more on this subject, your video will be a fantastic source of reference as not only do you explain it clearly, your wonderful images demonstrates each point perfectly. Absolutely love the image of you standing on the sandbanks and also the one of the penguin looking out to the ship. Hope you are having an enjoyable visit with Nigel and look forward to seeing what you created
Great advices 🙂 If we study the old classic landscape painters we will see that there is actually no news. The major difference is that today we know more about perceptions and we have advanced technology accessible.
Hi Mads, at 9:20 that flock of birds flying in the misty foggy morning on the lake, given that they are in the middle of the photo and flying right to left they almost qualify as flying out of the photo not into the photo as you were commenting earlier. If they'd been principally clustered almost under the right tree and not in the middle of the two trees then they'd be flying into the photo, however, it would then be unbalanced... it's a balancing act which of these "rules" to follow and when you have only a split second to take the shot, it comes down to a after action analysis of what you did rather than getting all these rules right in that split second. Then just hoping that your muscle memory develops over many thousands, tens of thousands of photos to make those split second decisions.
I agree. Sometimes a photo looks best breaking a few rules.
Yes, it is funny, when making a shot, he is guided by 2-3 rules, which are enough for a beautiful photo, and the rest are discovered later during analysis. But this is absolutely not important, the main thing is that we know about all possible methods and apply the right ones depending on the situation. Regarding the birds, you are wrong. The birds evenly fill the frame, they work as a group and create repeating patterns. Even if you look at their heads, the walrus's head is also directed out of the frame, which creates a balance with the direction of the birds
Perhaps, one of the best advise on compositions, many thanks
Thanks, Mads! Outstanding video and definitely one to watch several times.
Your pictures are beautiful, your explanations so easy to understand!
Thank you for this wonderful insight into your photography vision.
Hi Mads, I've tried on many, many occasions to use the 'rule of thirds' and without success. I found trying to stick to the 'rules' impacted negatively on my photography and I was missing images I just let go. Issues with poor mental health led me to seek counselling and through many sessions I learned to find my own comfort zones, For my landscape photography, it was whatever I saw and found beautiful and inspiring, photograph it in whatever way I felt was right for me. I effectively threw many of the rules away, but I found a great sense of freedom. It may not work for everyone, it is a personal thing and I have made my photography my own. I'm an amateur and I love my photography and I feel more in touch with my surroundings than ever before. It is a satisfying feeling just to go through the images from a day out with the camera. Some images are not so good, some are okay and sometimes an odd one here and there is just what I wanted. A little bit of treasure and a good feeling.
Mads, thanks for the share!
I love that you call these tools and not rules. Ultimately the goal is a great composition, not conforming to any one rule. Nice.
The way you day woopdeedoo is amazing! I love you Mads
Wow !! Excellent direction. advice and presentation. Thank you so much.
Great video Mads! You are so knowledgeable! Thank you!
As always, great ideas! Thanks for taking me along!
Excellent summary and Tipps - plus great images as a „bonus“
Another great video! Thank you for the hard work you put into these.
Thx Mads. Always watch your vids. Heading back to dingle soon to get some more shots. It’s a place a beauty as you know. I don’t even know if I really use the rule of thirds. I mostly just like to balance my images. And then I also think that everyone has their own perception that works. Hope to meet one day in Ireland
Mads fantastic video! I appreciate you doing a composition video for us. You are one of the best at composition!
Thanks, it's always great to listen to your advice.
Great video Mads, love your photos and videos, always look forwards to seeing new videos to keep me focussed! Cheers, Chris, Staffordshire, UK.
I have always found given my Metalography images my intuition as to what gets the results I want and at many instances my choice when viewed by professionals were rewarded. In other words only in specific instances did the Rule apply. And at the same time hearing in my minds eye the Rule didn't always apply.
Love your photography, never dissapoints. Nice composition tutorial, thanks Mads
I learned long ago with my wildlife photography to have the subject looking into the photo. That shot @3:48 is one of my favorites, @9:12 also !!
Excellent video, beautifully explained as always. Tusen takk, Mads!
Very good tips and a good reminder👍
Excellent. Thanks.
Excellent info to add to your 2 E books
I entered a photo in to be judged by a panel of judges and the image was spot on for the rule of thirds…. I actually scored lower because it was “to perfectly placed” according to the feedback from them. They said I needed to add more tension by moving the horizon. That was a first for me.
Some wonderful images Mads
Nicely done. The rule of thirds often is often a hinderance than an aid.
Some great tips here, this will be rewatched so these sink in 👍
Köszönjük!
Thank you so very much! 🙏
Great examples of nuance in photos. Carry on. 👍🥂
excellent!
Let’s apply the approach - good art will defend itself and need no further explanation (on technical aspects). Most points presented absolutely cooperate with the rule of third and cropping the image to remove sky has nothing to do with it. Same goes with picking the subjects.
My best tip is: visit art galleries when you travel. Find inspiration from all around the world. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn from few hundred years of painting history.
Mads , great tips thanks! Nice “best of “ pic choices as well …cheers 😍
Rule of thirds is good for those who are learning about composition, but like Mads showed there are much stronger composition rules for landscape photography. Unfortunately some people hook up on it for long time..
Excellent!!!
You are good ....
Hey Mats, do you know Caspar David Friedrich?
He paints in oil - you with camera.
Epic atmosphere...
I totally agree with you.
Rule of third is older than photography, where light and dark color gradation creates lines in the painting where aspect ratio was not fixed for the frames. Even sometime painters had to paint on uneven walls. Hence they had to stick with this to lead the attention of viewer from parts to parts of the painting. These days we have fixed aspect ratio most of the time and multiple ways to increase contrast to lead the eye point to point. 🙂
how do you take the photos from such a great distance? Do you have a remote control? The signal can't be that strong.😊
hahaha the Whale into? come on Mads, you really to create some amazing photos.. Just seen the birds in your fav image they are not fling in or out lol
Its funny you can pick any photo and say something about it.. but in general you speak some very wise words.. and another 11:50 your facing out the frame but it works for other reason.. it really is using ALL the tools to make a photo work.. but you are right what you said at the start always try to have sujects that move to be going into not out of the frame.
A subject dead center can work, but can look odd, and anything almost but not perfectly centered looks odd. Focal points should never be too close to the edge of a picture. If you avoid these, you end up close to the rule of thirds.
did you put the yellow tulip there
Lol no, just watch my video where I photograph it ;)
My rule on the ''Rule of Thirds'' is to ignore it if and when possible, it's not even a proper rule, more of a ''compositional'' guide,
There are no rules in photography, period. Nice photos by the way, some of them are excellent.
What is mistake?
👍👏
The rule of thirds is something that doesn't even enter my mind when composing an image. Nor the golden spiral, especially after seeing the classic pooping dog "explained" by it. :p
Juxtaposition huh? Isn't that James Popsys's middle name 😅. Great video as usual, Mads.
❤
Nice review of composition tools. I’m not a rule of thirds hater. I think it reminds me to think of fore, mid, and background. Forcing subjects exactly to the intersecting lines, however, is too strict an application.
My only rule is that rules are made to be broken 😁
"Pack of birds" 😂
be-Yond Mads :) Jeg ved godt, der er nogle stykker i engelsktalende lande, der fatter hat og siger beond. Men det ER altså beYond 🙂