User Manual

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Chapter 5: Basic Touchup
Microsoft Digital Image Standard User’s Manual
Using the rule of thirds
When composing a photograph, many beginning photographers consistently
center their subject directly in the middle of the frame. While this technique
may be the easiest way to get the subject in focus with a point-and-shoot
camera, it is not always the most interesting way to present the subject.
Most advanced photographers follow the rule of thirds when composing the
space inside a picture frame. The rule of thirds is used throughout the graphic
design world, because it helps to create balance between the subject and the
background. When you compose a picture according to the rule of thirds, you
mentally divide the frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically (imagine
a tic-tac-toe grid), and place the point of interest on one of the four spots where
the lines intersect.
If the photo includes a person or animal, you can place the face on one of the
four points, looking toward the center of the scene. If the photo includes the
horizon, it should run about one-third from the top or one-third from the bot
-
tom, depending on whether the terrain or the sky is the center of focus.
The cropped picture is a more interesting composition because it follows the rule of thirds.
To crop a photo using the rule of thirds:
1. On the Format menu, point to Crop, and then click Canvas.
2. Under Select a proportion, click a proportion.
3. Select the Show guidelines for the rule of thirds check box.
4. Click a starting point on your photo, and then drag the outline to the
opposite corner of the area to be cropped.
The guidelines show the cropped area divided into thirds vertically
and horizontally.
5. Move and resize the cropped area so a focal point in the picture is
positioned at one of the intersections of the guidelines.
6. Click Done.