Since the judge commented on our composition, we should perhaps review the basics for the next few newsletters.  Remember, the ‘rules’ of composition are really more like guidelines; but they are guidelines that will lead you in the right direction.

Rule of Thirds   Imagine a tic-tac-toe board on your viewfinder.  When we’re in a hurry or being lazy we have a tendency to place our subject right in the middle of the viewfinder.  It’s okay, you get the picture, but the composition is static and dull.  Simply moving the subject to one of the intersections on the grid makes the composition way more interesting.  Which intersection?  Look at the scene.  A subject with an interesting foreground may look better in the upper right or left area.  Moving the subject to the lower intersections will show off an interesting background.  A leading line such as a path may determine the best place for the subject

Centered - shows up well,

but is rather dull

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Please see our flickr site for more pictures:

www.flickr.com/photos/palmertoncameraclub/