When to Center the Subject
3V001RedWaterLilybyJimCrottyFW.jpg
Originally uploaded by jimcrotty.com.
Rarely do I place the primary subject of my photographs smack-dab in the center of the frame. I try to practice the rule of thirds, segmenting the image area with four intersecting lines - two vertical and two horizontal. Where those lines intersect is where I usually place the subject. Which of those points I choose depends on the directional flow of lines between subject, foreground and background or if I want the viewer’s eyes to follow the subject through or to a given point.
The few times that I will place the subject right in the middle of the image area is when I’m photographing circular objects close-up, usually flowers. The circular lines flow inward, thus there usually isn’t a need to provide additional space to allow for “movement” or the orientation of the subject. The other time I find myself placing the subject square in the middle is for face-only portraits of people.
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