Goldilocks

      29 Comments on Goldilocks

. . . and the three bares . . .

The prompt for this week’s Sinful Sunday was to utilize the rule of thirds.

The rule of thirds, used in photographical composition, is often interpreted as “don’t center your image.”  Rather: add tension to the photo by keeping points of interest either on/within one of the ‘thirds’ (vertical or horizontal) or by having said points of interest intersect where the ‘thirds’ lines intersect.

I’ve chosen to use this image because, although as a whole it is centered (which supposedly goes against the rule), it also composed in thirds — and there are thirds within the thirds, as demonstrated below:

My legs inhabit the outer vertical thirds.  My bear feet (*grin*) the lower horizontal third.

Broken down further…

The upper center horizontal third presents as its own point of interest as a mini-composition, thus:

And I couldn’t help but notice that the center third – the very ‘middle’ that we should, according to The Rules Of Photography™, avoid – has a certain draw of its own…

…and divides nicely into further thirds, thus:

Again the thirds repeat.  My legs inhabit the outer vertical thirds.  The edge of the fabric runs along the lower third horizontal line.  And something a bit…abstract…attracts the eye dead center.

Except… You’re not supposed to center your image if you’re utilizing the rule of thirds, right?

Hmmm…

Let’s just say I know enough about art to understand that everything – including (and perhaps especially) the ‘rules’ – is open to interpretation.

😉

.

Sinful Sunday

29 thoughts on “Goldilocks”

  1. May More

    This is an extremely clever image and there are so many things in the photo that draws my eye – I have attempted a rule of thirds shot, &hink it may have been achieved but agree it has got to be open to some kind of artistic interpretation. Very glad you used this image 😉
    May More recently posted…Dissolute on Sinful SundayMy Profile

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  5. missy

    I love everything about this photo. It is so natural but so cleverly shot. The socks are the cutest and the overall image is super sexy 😊

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  6. Mr. F. Grey

    This! Dare I say you scored a trifecta with me. Black and white, bare skin (with adorable bear socks), and depth created by the lines of how you positioned your body. Fantastic! My eyes traveled all over, from your top hands to your curly hair, down the outer curves of your calves, to your smiling bear socks. Back up your feet and inner thigh to the left. My gaze slowed at the hand between your legs and that understood yet mysterious grayscale space. So much here…I could go on. Great shot Feve!

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    1. Mrs Fever Post author

      Thank you! I appreciate that feedback. 🙂

      One of the reasons I chose this photo because I felt it had movement – that trace-line draw to the eye you describe so well. I’m so glad that came through for you as a viewer. 🙂

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    1. Mrs Fever Post author

      “Or not” is probably the case, at least for the stated expectations of the prompt. I’m certainly not an expert! But I talked with an art instructor who had some interesting things to say about the ‘rule’ and I thought some of them were worth sharing. 🙂

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    1. Mrs Fever Post author

      They are my favorite slippers; I wear them around the house all the time. I wish I would have bought two pair! I’ve had them for a few years now and they are starting to wear out.

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  13. Bruce

    Id am a firm believer in ‘dynamic tension’, but to me the modern concept of ‘thirds’ leads to ‘static balance’ which I abhor.

    I don’t see ‘thirds’ in Weston or Ansel Adams. Maybe ‘thirds’ is part of the ‘beyond black and white’ era of modern color images (despite your B&W rendition.

    I may be just an old pfart’, but thank goodness I’m still horny!

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    1. Mrs Fever Post author

      Like most artistic techniques, the rule of thirds is more of a guideline than an actual rule, and there’s a lot more to creating an interesting composition than just blindly following the ‘rule’ and chopping an image into intersecting points. Just as with anything else in art, what “works” and what doesn’t – for creator and audience – will vary greatly from person to person.

      I’m not sure how well this rule works for me as a general practice, honestly. But it was interesting to learn about and play with, and I definitely appreciate all the creative efforts I’ve seen from others who are participating in the prompt.

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  14. Posy Churchgate

    I like how you have explained the rules and your interpretation of them, and there is great wit in your lovely composition

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  15. Cara Thereon

    Molly has been teaching me the rule of thirds rule so I’m still trying to get the hang of it. Your photo is lovely, and your slippers made me squee a bit. They are sooo cute
    Cara Thereon recently posted…A Perched PetMy Profile

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  17. Molly

    “Let’s just say I know enough about art to understand that everything – including (and perhaps especially) the ‘rules’ – is open to interpretation.” You are absolutely right about this which is why I always say rule of thirds is a guideline to keep in mind do a rule to always adhere too and, as you have shown, can often be adapted or even broken to great effect.

    Despite your image at first glance not being rule of thirds because you have centered yourself in the shot, as you point out, the details in the image if you look at them in a more abstract way do in fact adhere to the rule.

    Mollyx
    Molly recently posted…Long cold lonely winterMy Profile

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