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       #Post#: 190--------------------------------------------------
       The much-Maligned Centered Composition
   DIR By: ianplant
       Date: September 29, 2015, 1:39 pm
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       I've been meaning to put up this post for quite some time, in
       response to a statement Helen made about an image of hers with a
       centered composition. She was worried that the judges of her
       camera club contest wouldn't like the composition because it was
       centered.
       It's okay to ignore those who fear and misunderstand the center
       of the image frame. Many who rigidly apply the Rule of Thirds
       cross themselves and make hissing noises whenever they see a
       photograph with a centered composition, acting as if they have
       just been accosted by blood-sucking vampires. Please, don’t let
       such over-the-top displays influence your understanding of
       composition.
       Centered compositions are just another tool to add to your
       toolkit of artistic expression. But more than that, centered
       compositions can be a powerful technique to have at your
       disposal. At the very least, it should become abundantly clear
       that to master composition, you need to move well beyond the
       Rule of Thirds. In fact, many - arguably most - of my
       compositions are centered. Here are just a few examples:
  HTML http://ianplant.photoshelter.com/#!/index/I0000k7f8n29ZEBc
  HTML http://ianplant.photoshelter.com/#!/index/I0000k7f8n29ZEBc
  HTML http://ianplant.photoshelter.com/#!/index/I00005a4zEHDmsIg
  HTML http://ianplant.photoshelter.com/#!/index/I00005a4zEHDmsIg
  HTML http://ianplant.photoshelter.com/#!/index/I0000m79N84tZlPY
  HTML http://ianplant.photoshelter.com/#!/index/I0000m79N84tZlPY
  HTML http://ianplant.photoshelter.com/#!/index/I0000uIr59E4DDnc
  HTML http://ianplant.photoshelter.com/#!/index/I0000uIr59E4DDnc
  HTML http://ianplant.photoshelter.com/#!/index/I0000t3XivQBNmtg
  HTML http://ianplant.photoshelter.com/#!/index/I0000t3XivQBNmtg
       Any subject can be successfully centered so long as there are
       other elements in the picture to draw attention away from the
       primary element. The center by itself does not prevent the
       creation of a dynamic composition; rather, it is the lack of
       visual elements elsewhere that creates the problem. If you have
       other visual elements, then you can create a visual relationship
       between the primary centered element and the secondary
       uncentered elements. Proper selection and placement of
       off-center elements, of course, is important. But the key thing
       is to have something off-center to pull the eye away from the
       centered subject.
       So don’t be afraid of the center. When you first started out as
       a photographer, you were taught to avoid the center, and
       partially for good reason (too many beginners just point their
       camera at their subject and fire away). You’ve grown as an
       artist since then, so you’re ready to tackle the center again.
       In the words of the Jedi master Yoda, “you must unlearn what you
       have learned” about centered compositions. Even if you don’t
       believe me, how can you argue with Yoda?
       Don't believe me or Yoda? Well how about Jesus and DaVinci?
       DaVinci is one of the most famous artists ever, and his painting
       "The Last Supper" is one of the most famous centered
       compositions ever made:
  HTML http://www.buzzle.com/images/drawings/leonardo-da-vinci/the-last-supper.jpg
  HTML http://www.buzzle.com/images/drawings/leonardo-da-vinci/the-last-supper.jpg.<br
       />Trust me, DaVinci never heard of the Rule of Thirds.
       You can read more on my thoughts about the Rule of Thirds on my
       blog:
  HTML http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2015/06/24/the-rule-of-thirds-in-photographic-composition/
  HTML http://www.ianplant.com/blog/2015/06/24/the-rule-of-thirds-in-photographic-composition/.
       You can learn more about photographic composition in my ebook,
       "Visual Flow: Mastering the Art of Composition," acclaimed by
       critics and customers alike:
  HTML http://ianplantdreamscapes.myshopify.com/collections/featured-products/products/visual-flow-mastering-the-art-of-composition
  HTML http://ianplantdreamscapes.myshopify.com/collections/featured-products/products/visual-flow-mastering-the-art-of-composition
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