The Rule of Thirds

1) Still image from The Notebook, 2004, demonstrating "The Rule of Thirds."

This still image from The Notebook shows the two main characters, Noah and Allie, slightly off center which aligns them along the intersecting lines of the grid. This positioning is intentional in order to draw the viewers attention to their faces as they speak. This way it enhances the feeling of intimacy between the two fictional characters, and shows the intensity of their conversation. The background of this shot is made up of dark grey skies and the lake, which occupies the upper and lower parts of the frame. The placement of the dark sky and lake is to set the mood for the scene. This background is used to represent the hardships and challenges faced by the relationship of the characters. By placing the two characters off center and leaving a view of the background, it helps create the idea that the conversation Noah and Allie are having is very dramatic and gut-wrenching. Using The Rule of Thirds effectively sets the emotional dark mood of the scene which emphasizes the overall plot tension.

2) Places/Setting/Landscape

a. A photo taken without regard for the rule

b. A photo taken with a) the horizon correctly aligned with a horizontal rule line, and b) focal objects lined up with hot spots (intersections between horizontal and vertical lines on the tic-tac-toe grid)

3) One Figure (Human, Animal, or Stand-in)

a. Photo taken without regard for the rule

b. Photo taken with the object figure aligned with hot spots on either vertical line.

4) Two Figures 

a. A photo taken without regard of the rule 

b. A photo taken with eyes and landscape aligned according to the rule AND figures with neutral spacing 

c. A photo taken with eye and landscape alignment and vertical placement to suggest agreement or attraction 

This photo conveys attraction by having the two models in close proximity of each other, with body language more towards each other rather than away. By having the two models touching, it shows that they have created some positive agreement and attraction. In contrast, if I put these models far away or not facing each other, it would most likely be viewed as a disagreement or conflict. These models are aligned on the left vertical line hot spot, which helps draw attention to the subjects and their body language. By using The Rule of Thirds, it successfully draws viewers attention while overall making the picture more appealing to look at.

d. A photo taken with eye and landscape alignment and vertical placement to indicate disagreement, conflict, threat/ menace.