Does the [ Rule of Thirds ] apply on 16:9 ?

Yeah - does it? On the Y- axis?

I mean obviously you have to split up the screen into 9 fields and use the 4 intersections for positions of important objects (eyes).

Anyway. If I apply that to my 16:9 footage it seems not to work. (I shoot on 4:3 so I can move it on the Y axis) Here's an example:

[image=http://hosted.mypkg.de/md/files/guy_1.jpg] [image=http://hosted.mypkg.de/md/files/guy_2.jpg] [image=http://hosted.mypkg.de/md/files/guy_3.jpg]

What I think looks best is this:
[image=http://hosted.mypkg.de/md/files/guy_4.jpg]
It doesn't obey the rule of thirds, though.

 

The rule of third is more of a "keep this in mind" thing, not actual numbers. So, yeah, pick a third to either side of your frame, and rock it.

Unless you're the Wachowski brothers, then it's more of, like, the rule of fifths, and you're working in cinemascope-and-a-half, and your subject is essentially a bookened for one end of the screen.

 

All three of those look fine to me, depending on what you're going for in each shot. What's wrong with them?

M. Scott

 

The last one does obey the rule of thirds, perfectly. You've got it right.

[image=http://www.weirdhat.com/stuff/ripley-thirds.jpg]

 

I feel "the rule of thirds is more of a guideline, than an actual rule." [face_pirate]

//hops in line for PoC2

 

What Weirdhat said.

 

Ugh, I feel like I am back in my Video Production class Freshman year.
As DM said, they all work depending on the scene. Just go with what feels right.

 

I get the same result.

[image=http://www.thebradplace.net/Temp_tfn_pix/thirds.JPG]

What's up Ripley?

 

Up is that I don't think those are 9 equivalent thirds...

And that I'm not using 16:9 but rather something like:

2,18

 

Yeah you're probably right on mine, I used paint. But weirdHat's are spot on. What the heck is "2,18"?

I doesn't matter what size frame that you use. Divide the frame in thirds horizontaly, and then in thirds verticaly. Line up to the intersections. If you're gonna shoot in 4:3 and then crop to 16:9 or 2.35:1, then just apply the rule of thirds in 4:3, and reposition the frame when you crop it. Like everyone said, it's just a guideline. Just make sure that you are consistant with eyelines and motion lines.

 

Probably 2.18 aspect ratio.

M. Scott

 

Yeah Germans use the comma for more than grammar... Sorry.


I was just curious why some of the "versions" looked so odd, although I applied the rule of thirds. The guy was right in the middle (which looked okay). The shot now pans from the sky to the guy *rhyme* at the beginning of the shot, to give it more motion. As the guy moves forward, the camera follows him so he stays in lower right intersection.

Why are there no rule of third- grids on Camcorders?

 

Probably because most people don't care, and those who care enough to know about it don't generally need them.

Don't feel locked into doing it that way. It's a guide that will help you find more interesting shots. Many times you may choose to center something or whatever. That's fine, but you'll know WHY you're doing it as opposed to just defaulting to always centering everything (which is where most people begin).

M. Scott

 

Right. That's where most people begin.

This afternoon I was looking at the pictures in one of my old family albums and I noticed that the good ones subconsciously incorporated the rule of thirds. Maybe one should crop photos to make them look more interesting.

I would like to know what effect you create by sticking to it.

The quality of my current production depends a lot on the camera work (and editing) because it's mostly just one character that you see. There's not much dialogue, only actions and facial expressions. The camera work has to provide another character.. kind of.. I can't center everything This is really good training since I always have to find a better angle and a more compact way of presenting the action in order to not make it look boring.

I really admire Cast Away because you never think it's boring. I can't steal the idea of a volleyball as the protagonist's best friend, though

Does anyone know any other basic rules for camera work that I could keep in mind additionally to my pre-existing camera-instinct?

 

It's okay to hold your camera, and it's even okay to walk with your camera, and it can be used to humongous effect even without being all shaky and HANDHELD LOL. Just don't be all over the place with it, be subtle, and the audience won't notice the camera moving, but the picture keeps changing and stays interesting. Especially useful if you need to slowly push in on someone or something, for dramatic effect.

 

Yeah! In this movie I use(d) a lot of handheld shots for the lack of civilization and sophistication that most scenes are meant to present.

I stick to the 180 degree rule. Maybe I should post a raw (unfinished) scene for you guys to analyze?

 

Don't get too hung up with precise geometry.

And watch JAWS. After they leave the harbour, check out just how many shots use the rule of thirds. Watch in particular how many shots "evolve" from one "thirds" composition into another "thirds" composition.

 

I did not understand the last thing you said.

 

MMmmk, now i feel stupid.

Whats this rule of thirds? Is there a rule of ones? Tens?

 

I second that question.

 

Well, read the thread and you will find out. The rule of thirds tells you to devide your screen into 3 sections, horizontally and vertically. The 4 intersections serve as points of interesent, where faces, eyes or just anything important should be.

 

Oh. I just realised that my copy of JAWS is AWOL. Must have lent it to somebody.

Still, imagine, for example (I'm not saying that this example is actually in the movie), that the frame is composed so that Hooper is positioned up the mast at the junction point between upper and middle thirds line and the left and middle thirds line, with the side of the boat running along the middle and lower thirds line. Then the camera pans and tilts so that Brody comes into the frame, with the camera coming to rest such that Brody is positioned at the junction point between the lower and middle thirds line and the middle and right thirds line, and the horizon runs across the upper and middle thirds line.

It's much easier to understand when you see it. Just watch JAWS.

 

It's much easier to explain if you just refer to the actual intersections, instead of describing where they are. There are just four of them - upper left, upper right, lower left, lower right.

Anyway. I got the idea.

 

More reading clicky1 clicky2

- The Cat

Edit: Hehe I just googled - rule of thirds 16:9 - to see if there were any tuts on this . . well you do it and see