The Rule of Thirds Applied In Portraiture

The rule of thirds may be the most popular composition rule in photography. Very often though, this rule is attributed to landscapes. However, if applied to portraiture, this rule substantially improve the aesthetics of the image.

What is the rule of third? This can sound a little tricky to the uninitiated so let me delve on it a little.. Here are three simple steps on how to apply the rule.

1. Divide your entire frame into three equal parts vertically, and three equal parts horizontally. Remember where those imaginary dividing lines lie and where they meet (red dots).

2. Identify the main subject of interest in the image you are trying to capture. I call this main subject of interest as center of visual impact. This is the core of the image… the main story.

3. Position your main subject of interest as close as possible to where the imaginary lines meet, where the imaginary red dots are.

In portraiture, the main subject of interest or the center of visual impact is usually the face of the person being photographed. If the photo is taken close enough, the main

subject of interest is focused further to the eyes.

Noticed how the face of the person being photographed in the image above is being placed as close as possible to where one of the red dots are supposed to be. This is how the Rule of Thirds is being applied.

Presented below are samples of how this rule have is being observed.

Perhaps you can imagine how these images will look like if they were taken differently. The best way to understand and learn this rule is to go out and take some portraits, first by the usual way you've been taking your photos, then take more clicks by consciously observing this rule and compare your outputs afterwards. Notice how much the "story" of your photos is improved by observing this simple rule.

Happy shooting!

10 Tips Setting up an Outdoor Portraiture

Here are some tips on how to get yourself set for an outdoor portraiture photo session. I use this and memorize this list that it has gone down as a mental checklist to me.

1. Come prepared. Needless to say this but sometimes even those who have been into photography for a while tends to forget . Ready your gears at least an hour before going to the shoot. See to it that your batteries are loaded and your memory cards empty. Clean your trusted lens for portraiture as well as your camera. A prime lens with shallow depth of field (f/1.8 or f/2.8) would be ideal for this task. To beginners, I would strongly recommend you get a 50mm f/1.8. This is one amazing lens that's worth every cent. Don't forget also to bring your reflectors…. and small lights or flash if you are fond of using them.

2. Coordinate. Talk to your clients before the shoot. Discuss with him/her the general theme of the shoot and the clothes and props that will fit the location. This is the best point to establish a good rapport with your subject and to gain his or her trust. Let him/her feel that you know what you are doing. If you don't, don't give away any hint.

3. Wear Dark. Often you will see yourself imaged in the eyes of your subject. It is best that you appear in silhouette rather than in fancy colorful clothes.

4. Come early. By coming a few minutes early to the location, you will be able to scan the venue for best spots to take portraits. Look for patterns and lines. Examine also the lighting condition of the location. Shadows can help improve the impact of your image if used properly, so consider it when looking for spots.

5. Wear your best mood. Keep a friendly atmosphere between you and your subject. Keep him/her feel comfortable. This will help a lot in the output of the shoot. If you drive your subject out of mood early on, the entire shoot will be a disaster and you will not be able to recover it during the shoot duration. And no matter who's at fault, the output of the shoot will always be your responsibility.

6. Bring extra hands. It is always desirable in the shoot to tag along someone who can assist in setting up stuff, clearing the spot of the shoot, holding reflectors and running errands when necessary.

7. Go Natural. Use natural light as much as possible using only reflector or reflectors to fill in lights where needed. This keeps the drama of the scenery on the image. This also lessens the stress on the subject caused by delays in light set up, metering and trial shots. This gives a continuity to the shoot keeping the subject 'IN' the shoot all the time.

8. Review composition basics. Even you have been doing the shoot several times, looking back at your notes on composition basics brings into surface a lot of ideas you have not thought of before. This pumps up the flow of your creative juices which will keep on coming during the session itself.

9. Capture RAW. It always pay to shoot RAW. With the amount of information you can control in post processing, this will save a lot of images which could otherwise be wasted if it was taken in JPEG.

10. Have fun. People are beautiful. Have fun taking photos and interacting with your subject. Be real and honest and then go home with photos, money and -- who knows -- some well meaning friends.

Upcoming Workshops

Schedule of Courses

MAY 2011

Introduction to Digital Photography

This is a basic photography course that's truly basic. This is a course that will help you make sense of the the functions and settings of your camera. This will give you the confidence of shooting outside the program or auto modes and incorporate more of your creativity in your images.

It is a light course with enough activities to support the concepts being introduced. The first day is mostly a mix of lecture and hands-on application of the topics. The second day is part portraiture photo shoot and part discussion and evaluation of the outputs of the participants.

May 7-8, 2011 - Introduction to Digital Photography (GenSan City)
Venue : Amandari Cove, Mabuhay Road
Registration Fee : P2,500

May 14-15, 2011 - Portraiture Weekend : Photoshoot + Photoshop (GenSan City)

Venue : Amandari Cove, Mabuhay Road
Registraiton fee : P2, 800.00

May 28-29, 2011 -Introduction to Digital Photography (GenSan City)
Venue : Del Rio Water Splash Resort
Registration Fee : P2,500

June 4&5, 2011 - Introduction to Digital Photography - DAVAO CITY

Venue : To be announce at a later date

Registration Fee : P2,800.00

PORTRAITURE WEEKEND : Photoshoot + Photoshop

This course focuses on creating impressive portraiture images. The session will open with a review on the basics of image capturing -- the exposure triangle, white balance setting, etc. This will be followed by a discussion on basics on use of light -- both artificial and natural -- and the fundamentals of setting up your subject for a portrait shoot. This will also tackle the guidelines on portraiture and the basics on posing.

Morning discussions will be followed by a photo shoot session with model. Output of the shoot will be used for the next part which will be on post processing.

The second day will be an Introduction to Post Processing of portrait photos. Different post processing softwares will be introduced with emphasis on the use of Photoshop CS (at least CS3). Post processing topics will include, among others, color adjustment and enhancement, sharpening, use of layers, exposure adjustment, white balance correction, cropping and retouching to remove unwanted hair strands and blemishes. The session will close with an evaluation and discussion of the participants outputs.

May 14-15, 2011 - Portraiture Weekend : Photoshoot + Photoshop - GENSAN

Venue : Amandari Cove, Mabuhay Road

Registraiton fee : P3, 500.00 (Previous participants to other courses to pay only P 2,800.00)

Payment Details :

Pay through any BPI Branch
Account Name : Erwin D Altares
Account Number : 3029 0374 84
Account Type : Savings

For other inquiries.

Text or call ED Altares.
CP 0920 908 5332
Or Email at edaltares@gmail.com

or Marx Talacan

CP 0920 506 9300

Previous Participants' Comments

Previous participants made the following comments about this workshop :

"

I really appreciate your down-to-earth seminar approach. What would otherwise be too technical were explained in simple and no-frills language." - Atty Noy Rojas

"The Exposure Triangle. Aperture, ISO, Shutter speed were presented in a NOT-INTIMIDATING manner. We were given examples and tips but just enough for starters....

All in all it was a very refreshing experience and I'm glad I attended the workshop." - Ms. Junette Hortado

"E.D. Altares Photography rocks!" - Jay Mariano

Basic Photography Workshop QC

Basic Photography Workshop QC

March 26 & 27, 2011

2nd Floor PHESCO Building

Quezon Avenue, Quezon City

Day 1 8am to 5pm

Introduction to Photography

Photography Terminologies

Camera and Accessories

Basic Camera Settings and Functions

Exposure Control : The Light Triangle

(ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed)

Aperture and Depth of Field

Slow Shutter and Low Light Photography

Introduction to Composition

Workshop on Still Life Photography

(Concepts Application)

Homework :

Low light and Still Life photos

Day 2

AM 8 am to 12 pm

Basic Protraiture with Model Shoot

Outdoor (Location :TBA)

PM 2pm to 6 pm

Critique and Open Forum

Mini competition with prizes

> Still Life

> Portraiture

> Slow Shutter

Fee : Php 2,500.00 | LIMITED SLOTS

DSLR Required

50% for slot reservation

50% 3 days before the Workshop

Early Birds : Less 200.00 Paying in full on or before March 18, 2011

Pay through any BPI Branch

Account Name : Erwin D Altares

Account Number : 3029 0374 84

Account Type : Savings

Please text me as soon as you have made any deposit.

For inquiries.

Text or call ED Altares.

CP 0920 908 5332

Or Email at edaltares@gmail.com

1. For reservation, 50% downpayment is required.

2. The D/P is non-refundable within 5 days prior to date of workshop.

3. Registration must be paid in full, 3 days before the date of workshop, otherwise slot will be given to the wait listed participants.

Registration Fee includes:

1. Workshop Fee

2. Instruction Material

3. 4 Sets of Snacks

4. Printing of photos for critique session

5 .Certificate of Attendance