(1) The rule of thirds states that the ratio of the length of the
smaller part of a line to the larger part of that line equals the ratio of the
larger part of the whole line.
This ratio of 2:3 is used to locate the
placement of the center of interest. It works out that this point of placement
is 2/3 of the picture width from either side and 2/3 the picture height from
top to bottom (fig 3-23).
Figure 3-23.
Using ratio of 2:3 to place center of interest
(2) The center of interest should never be located at dead center of the
scene. This creates a hypnotic effect on the viewer. The viewer's eye goes
directly to the center almost immediately and will stay there. The viewer will
see only that one point. The rest of the photograph is lost. The command of
the viewer's attention is also lost if the center of interest is placed near
the edge of a photograph. This brings the viewer's gaze to the edge of the
picture and might move his attention away from the picture completely.
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