I recently started working on mirror-image pet portraits in my Carrollton studio and they are a lot of fun. I love the minimalist aesthetic and how the pet is isolated in the frame. That being said, when using a black background, they can be REALLY isolated as with little Deli here. What to do with all that extra space? That's the perfect lead in for this week's theme in the Pet Photography 52 week project, "rule of thirds".
In photography, the rule of thirds is a type of composition in which an image is divided evenly into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, and the subject of the image is placed at the intersection of those dividing lines, or along one of the lines itself. As viewers, we naturally find this composition appealing, and it can be a helpful tool when deciding how to crop an image that doesn't necessarily lend itself to a clear composition as seen below.
With so much negative space, all options were on the table for how to crop this image for best presentation. I typically try a number of compositions and stop at the one that makes me relax. It's a feeling of contentment that I truly experience when I see a composition that just feels right and how the image was supposed to be viewed. Keep reading for a glimpse into that process.
(click on any image to view full screen)
6 Comments
Mar 10, 2020, 7:20:55 PM
Jackie - That was a cool visual to understand the rule of thirds!
Mar 8, 2020, 7:17:25 PM
Tracy Allard - Yes, I use an actual mirror.
Mar 8, 2020, 3:59:02 PM
Terri Jankelow - Love these! Do you actually put the dog on mirror?
Mar 6, 2020, 1:16:03 PM
Rachel Moore - That is COOL! The final image would make an amazing, large acrylic print.
Mar 6, 2020, 9:36:33 AM
Angela Schneider - What a unique idea. I just love it. I love your finished image, although I kinda like the first one with its center-weighted approach.
Mar 6, 2020, 8:51:38 AM
Kelly Middlebrooks - Such a fun project! :O)