When I purchased my Birthday digital camera last December, I thought that taking great photographs was just aiming my camera at an interesting scene and pressing the shutter button. The only rule I remember my friends telling me, was to center the subject. Just by doing that I would get masterpieces out of my light machine.
Wrong. Point-and-shoot is a myth created by camera dealers in an effort to increase their sales and fill their pockets. Even the term used for their cameras—Point-and-Shoot—is misleading and confusing. It makes you think that these cameras by themselves will let you take magic shots. I prefer the term “compact cameras”.
As I get my feet wet with photography, I’m learning that effective composition plays a big part in taking good pictures. It doesn’t matter is you have a cheap $100 or a $1,000 camera, you still have to organize your shots. By organizing your photographs I mean placing your subject correctly, so your intended message or mood will be adequately transmitted to the viewer.
This is where the Rule of Thirds comes in. The Rule of Thirds is a photographic composition technique that most if not all advanced photographers employ quite a bit. The basis of this rule is that a photograph is divided into nine equal-sized sections, with two lines vertically and two lines horizontally. The four intersections of these lines are a good guide point for where your subject should be centered. These intersections are also called power points.
These power points (and lines) also work as guides for other aspects of the photograph, for example, a horizon may look better when lined up with one of the lines. Also, when photographing people, a good use of the rule of thirds in many circumstances would be to line a person’s body up with a vertical line, and line their eyes up with a horizontal line.
This is likely one of the most important compositional techniques, as many photographers feel that a centered subject is not as interesting (in most situations). It is, however, recommended that you treat this “rule” as more of a guideline though, as there are many circumstances where a more appealing photograph can be produced without the use of this rule.
The Rule of Thirds goes all the way back to 1845, where it originated as a rule for composing scenic artwork. However the basic principles of composition go back even further. The principles behind composition date back to the artists of the Italian Renaissance and to the ancient Greeks and Romans before them.
When my friend, Michael Moore, told me about this composition technique, it was difficult for me to “see” these imaginary lines on my camera’s monitor. Later I found out, that my camera could overlay these lines on the screen .
If you have a Canon PowerShot A720 IS, this is how to use the Display Overlap option which controls the grid lines on your camera LCD monitor.
Rear view of the Canon PowerShot A720 IS with the control buttons at the bottom right side of the camera. (Credit: Yongbo Yiang's Weblog)
The large circular button in the middle controls the Up-Down-Left-Right menu options, much the same way a mobile phone does.
Start by clicking the Menu button below the large circular button mentioned above. This action will display several options which you can select by using the circular button. Press the down side of the button (identified with a flower icon and the letters MF), until you reach the Disp Overlay (Display Overlay) option which controls the LCD grid lines.
If the option is set to OFF, click the right button to locate the Grid Lines option and activate it by clicking the Menu button again. Remember to activate the Shooting Mode. You do this by moving the Mode Switch button located at the upper right hand corner of the camera next to the red camera icon.
Remember that photography is all about refining an image to its most basic element, and then making that element leap to the forefront of the photograph, in order to convey information or to evoke a mood or emotion. To do this you need to organize your subject, and the Rule of Thirds is a powerful tool to do. By clicking the link at the end of this post, you will see the Rule of Thirds in action.
Application of the Rule of Thirds placing the seagull at the upper right hand power point allowing room for the bird to fly towards the right side of the picture. You can easily imagine the flight of the bird. (Credit: Yongbo Yiang's Weblog)
Point-and-Shoot is a myth, be prepared and surprise us with your spectacular pictures. I’m doing my best, but still have a long way to go. Good Day.
Source: Yongbo Yiang’s Weblog
Point and Shoot isn’t a myth, the expectations of the digital age are unrealistic.
Originally, point and shot meant just that – aim the camera and shoot (hence the term “snapshot”). Not phtography as art, just expose the film and hope for the best. Especially touted as a good thing compared to all the work needed with higher end cameras: light meters, extra lenses, etc.
You made good points about balance, especially that the rule of thirds is a good tool and a guideline. The goal is balance, a view your eye is comfartable with. Movement into the picture makes you look at it, out of the picture makes you turn away. We tend to look in the same direction as a subject’s eyes – do you realy want your viewer to look away from your photo?
Understanding how to show what you want others to see, how to make them look where you want. maybe think what you want – that’s the difference between point-and-shoot and serious photography.
Digital cameras give you a very good chance of well exposed photos with excellant color. But a well exposed bad photo is still a bad photo.
Some of my shots? snap shots and photos at mbryner.com
Hi MBryner:
I still feel that the term point-and-shoot confuses people who buy these types of cameras believing the camera by itself will produce great photographs. There are many other variables in the equation to create good-quality pictures which people would be interested in viewing or perhaps buying.
I agree that a “well exposed bad photo is still a bad photo”. I prefer to use the term “compact camera” for cameras that rely heavily on automatic features compared to DSLR cameras where the photographer is in control of the whole process by manually setting up the camera.
Thanks for your comments. I appreciate them. I enjoyed some of the wonderful pictures at your site. You have a flying pelican which is a perfect example of how to appropriately use the Rule of Thirds.
Best Regards,
Omar.-
Great post, Omar. And, I also enjoyed the “conversation” between Mr. Bryner and you. You both made excellent points.
I said out loud, “Yes..that’s it!!” when I read Mr. Bryner’s comment, as follows:
“Understanding how to show what you want others to see, how to make them look where you want. maybe think what you want – that’s the difference between point-and-shoot and serious photography.”
Hello Michael:
Thank you for your views on my post on point-and-shoot cameras and their misleading concept.
I believe Mr. Bryner has a good point by discriminating between point-and-shoot and serious photography.
After reading your suggested e-books and other related contents on the Internet, I’m inclined to follow serious photography, though I have to admit it’s a bumpy road.
I viewed Mr. Bryner Web site and he has hundreds of photographs under his wing taken in several parts of the world, so he knows what he’s talking about.
As you know, I’m just a newbie in the field of photography.
Nice to hear from you Michael. Your comments are always welcomed.
Regards,
Omar.-
You’re both right. As a pro for nearly 40 years, I’ve seen a lot of misleading advertising for “point and shoot” cameras. True, the term may be a little misleading for some. Just a few days ago I purchased my first compact aka point and shoot camera, a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5. Damn thing has more bells and whistles than the neighborhood ice cream wagon. That equals many reasons for an amateur to get into trouble.
I’ll be doing an more entensive report on this camera on my blogsite later this summer. In the report I will be comparing it to the compact cameras of the 1970′s.
My, my, how things have changed!
Hi Talbert:
Thank you for your insightful observations. I just returned from your site, AZdustdevil Photographic (http://www.azdustdevil.com/) and saw stunning pictures in there. I understand you specialize in historical architecture. I’m also inclined in that line of work.
As you know, I’ve been taking several pictures of Casco Viejo in Panama City, Panama. My next adventure would be XVIth Century Spanish ruins on the Atlantic Coast which are worth capturing.
Yep, things have changed. Just ask Kodak about it.
Regards,
Omar.-
Omar:
You are most welcome and thank you for your comments.
I don’t know what type of equipment you have used but I have shot film most of my career. This little Lumix should be interesting. I have already learned it’s not at all what I thought it would be. I may also have the opportunity to test a Casio that’s even smaller than my Lumix TZ5.
It will be an interesting summer.
Hi Talbert:
I’m just getting my feet wet with photography, mainly to complement my blogging activities.
Last December I purchased a compact Canon PowerShot A-720 IS camera.
It’s totally automatic, plus it also has several manual controls to let you grow with the camera as you acquire more photography knowledge.
So far I’m very satisfied with the camera. Maybe in the future I’ll jump to DSLR cameras. Not yet.
Enjoy your summer and you small cameras.
Regards,
Omar.-
Omar:
Hope you had a great summer. My new job has limited my photography time although I have had a few opportunities to use the little Panasonic. It’s proven to be a pretty good performer as compact cameras go. It does not have the traditional viewfinder and that’s the part that bugs me. When you gain compactness, you have to give up other things but I am learning to live with it.
Photo quality is very good overall, but I have a lot more “bad” shots than with my SLR. On the positive site, the Panasonic is lightweight and small and that gives me the incentive to carry it places where I would not bother with the slr. Better still, this Panasonic is really easy on batteries which is very unusual for a compact digital camera AND the batteries are rechargable.
Any camera in hand is better than no camera at all.
Talbert
Omar:
I’ve had some time to work with the Panasonic Lumix for a while and now I can tell you a little more about it.
It’s a compromise. Pure and simple. For what it is, it’s a little heavy, but not so heavy I don’t carry it everywhere. When I bought the Lumix, I had a chance to get something smaller with fewer features, but now I’m glad I did not. If it were any smaller, it would be uncomfortable to use.
On the plus side, the Leica lens is a jewel. It’s almost 3D! Colors are vibrant and sharp enough to cut your fingers. I have learned how to use the various “modes” to get some control over my shots, but it takes time to learn and lots of practice. It seems to be easy on batteries, although I always carry a fully charged spare, just to be safe. I keep it on program mode most of the time so I’m ready for anything. There are a few downsides as well.
It’s a digital camera. It simply cannot compete with film. Highlights are often blown and there is noting on earth that will fix this, not even PhotoShop. Several years ago, a friend of mine (very good friend indeed) gave me a Rollei 35 and I sometimes carry it along in case I find something that is really special. My big pro digital also blows highlights but not as badly as the Panasonic. But it’s still digital.
If you still have an old film camera lying around somewhere, I strongly advise you to keep it. You cannot get much for it if you sell it, anyway. I still have my old Nikons and the Hasselblad. Glad I kept them.
Talbert
Hello Talbert:
Thank you for your thorough comments on the Panasonic Lumix. I don’t think I would like to switch to a film camera, because most if not all my photographs are to be included in my blog. For that I don’t need the added cost of buying and later developing film. So far, my Canon PowerShot A720 IS is doing a fine job. The lousy photographer is yours truly, but I’m working on it.
Best Regards,
Omar.-