We hear a lot about focal point, and you may be wondering what people mean by that term.
Quite simply, the focal point is the place in the shot that your eye wants to go to first. There are ways for you as an artist to guide the eye of the viewer exactly where you need it to go; these tricks are dictated by your composition arrangement.
The following site has some ideas on how to add a focal point when taking photos of landscape: Landscape Focal Point (Links to an external site.)
But perhaps the easiest and most accessible way to take a strong shot, with a clear focal point, is to use the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is a theory dictating how an image should be composed in order to create an aesthetically pleasing result. it is an invisible grid you should keep in mind when creating your shot. In all honesty, it’s more of a guideline than an actual rule.
The principle involves splitting an image into nine equal parts. First, you draw two lines vertically (in your mind, don’t whip out a pencil) to form three evenly-spaced sections. Then draw two more lines horizontally. You now have nine equal-sized squares.
For the most visually arresting photo, your subject or subjects should land where any two lines cross.
That gives you four options for focus in one composition.
To give you an idea of what the Rule of Thirds looks like, here are 9 great examples taken by independent photographers (examples and descriptions taken from Creative Market):
Chia on a Wooden Spoon
All those tiny pieces of chia seed come into perfect focus in the bottom right section of the grid with the straying seeds drifting off in all directions. The spoon handle also follows the grid line.
Quite simply, the focal point is the place in the shot that your eye wants to go to first. There are ways for you as an artist to guide the eye of the viewer exactly where you need it to go; these tricks are dictated by your composition arrangement.
The following site has some ideas on how to add a focal point when taking photos of landscape: Landscape Focal Point (Links to an external site.)
But perhaps the easiest and most accessible way to take a strong shot, with a clear focal point, is to use the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is a theory dictating how an image should be composed in order to create an aesthetically pleasing result. it is an invisible grid you should keep in mind when creating your shot. In all honesty, it’s more of a guideline than an actual rule.
The principle involves splitting an image into nine equal parts. First, you draw two lines vertically (in your mind, don’t whip out a pencil) to form three evenly-spaced sections. Then draw two more lines horizontally. You now have nine equal-sized squares.
For the most visually arresting photo, your subject or subjects should land where any two lines cross.
That gives you four options for focus in one composition.
To give you an idea of what the Rule of Thirds looks like, here are 9 great examples taken by independent photographers (examples and descriptions taken from Creative Market):
Chia on a Wooden Spoon
All those tiny pieces of chia seed come into perfect focus in the bottom right section of the grid with the straying seeds drifting off in all directions. The spoon handle also follows the grid line.
Bike Ride Close Up
Besides the wonderful use of color here, the bike rider is blurred around the main area of focus: her gear shifter and the right edge of her hand.
Besides the wonderful use of color here, the bike rider is blurred around the main area of focus: her gear shifter and the right edge of her hand.
Close Up
When it comes to people, if you want the focus on the face , you’ll want to place the eyes on one of the cross sections to create the greatest impact. The result is intimate and intriguing.
When it comes to people, if you want the focus on the face , you’ll want to place the eyes on one of the cross sections to create the greatest impact. The result is intimate and intriguing.
Foamy Latte on the Edge of a Chair
The precarious location of this steamy cup of Joe serves as a pedestal to the coffee’s monument. Coffee is often an essential tool in any artist’s collection, so it makes sense it should be honored with the Rule.
The precarious location of this steamy cup of Joe serves as a pedestal to the coffee’s monument. Coffee is often an essential tool in any artist’s collection, so it makes sense it should be honored with the Rule.
king Coffee Latte Barista
Coffee again: it’s a very popular subject for artists, as the beverage and its rituals are rich in texture and visual interest. This picture (Links to an external site.) has many more elements, but the action of pouring the frothed milk is clearly the main subject.
Coffee again: it’s a very popular subject for artists, as the beverage and its rituals are rich in texture and visual interest. This picture (Links to an external site.) has many more elements, but the action of pouring the frothed milk is clearly the main subject.
Tomayto Tomahto
Fun to say and fun to eat, this image captures the ruby red ripeness of fresh-off-the-vine tomatoes by piling them up near the top and bottom left side cross sections.
Fun to say and fun to eat, this image captures the ruby red ripeness of fresh-off-the-vine tomatoes by piling them up near the top and bottom left side cross sections.
Song Festival
The subject doesn’t have to be perfectly placed in the crosscut, as in this picture which has only the edge of the brightly purple headband in the aforementioned sector. However, it is the main element (the color also suggests this), so the Rule still applies.
The subject doesn’t have to be perfectly placed in the crosscut, as in this picture which has only the edge of the brightly purple headband in the aforementioned sector. However, it is the main element (the color also suggests this), so the Rule still applies.
Macaroons
The delicate sprinkles of the blue confection’s shell are the first thing the eye takes in before moving to his yellow buddy with black seeds, and then over to the stack of other vibrantly hued treats, thanks to the Rule of Thirds.
The delicate sprinkles of the blue confection’s shell are the first thing the eye takes in before moving to his yellow buddy with black seeds, and then over to the stack of other vibrantly hued treats, thanks to the Rule of Thirds.
Cup of Tea #1
The yellow lemon slice floats delicately in the center of the teacup, drawing the eye not only because of its color, but also because it sits at the bottom right cross section of the guide.
The yellow lemon slice floats delicately in the center of the teacup, drawing the eye not only because of its color, but also because it sits at the bottom right cross section of the guide.
Put it to the test
Now that you have learned about focal point and about the rule of thirds, it's time to put that knowledge into action. Go ahead and finish the assignment for this module by clicking on the link below!
Assignment 1
Now that you have learned about focal point and about the rule of thirds, it's time to put that knowledge into action. Go ahead and finish the assignment for this module by clicking on the link below!
Assignment 1