Forget the Rule of Thirds, do this instead…

Head to www.squarespac... to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code JAMES.
This week I'm talking about composition in photography, and the rules (rule of thirds etc...) that we perhaps pay a little too much attention to versus other ways of thinking. Hopefully it helps!
New Presets: jamespopsys.co...
The 2024 Arctic Workshop too: bit.ly/jpopsys
Books: www.jamespopsy...
Prints: www.jamespopsy...
Newsletter: www.jamespopsy...
---
My Gear: www.jamespopsy...
---
MUSIC:
Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself: fm.pxf.io/c/31...

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

My new book is available for pre-order: www.jamespopsys.com/human-nature-book Thanks for your support! 🙂

[@banditalley9592]

"Supporting" subject really emphasises the idea of a photo "about" something rather than "of" something. It adds context and the "about" part of the photo. Great video, straight to the point!

[@MaunoKoivistoOfficial]

Nice way of putting it.

[@chrisfetto9400]

A thought provoking distinction: 'of' vs 'about'!

[@kaihocompany]

​@@chrisfetto9400 seems to be in line with documentation versus interpretation

[@activ8me3]

@@kaihocompany Not exactly IMHO

[@mp7161]

When you photograph just an element, you make a portrait. When you photograph more elements, you start to tell a story, a visual interaction between them, which says something about that moment, that place, those elements, an evolution from the past or into the future. You capture their state or the state of their interaction at a moment in time.

[@wesleymarquardt4708]

This was actually probably the most useful composition video I've seen in a while. While I believe other rules are great tools, a lot of composition videos simply define them and call it a day. Photography is so much more than rules and facts, it's about telling a story and your video did a great job with helping guide people to tell stories.

[@Tmanaz480]

Yes. Especially with cameras becoming smarter, photographers are less tied up with the science, and are free to concentrate on the art.

[@0lyge0]

I once had a boss that was so obsessed with the rule of thirds, and would constantly say this or that shot "violates the rule of thirds", that it got to the point where if he was talking about composition of a photo at all I'd just get up and walk away. One day he had a photo book he was showing around the office and was particularly enamored with one specific photo of a baseball player in the dugout, when he showed it to me I looked at it for a few seconds then said it violates the rule of thirds and walked away. Although it did, it was a great shot. I thought the comment would get him off the idea that that was the only way to judge a photo but instead it completely ruined the picture for him. If photography is an art form you can't bind it, or yourself, with rigid rules. I wish more people would talk about these things as guides rather than rules.

[@snonsig2688]

tbh this is exactly where this entire channel shines for me. so many others are exclusively focusing on the act of photography, the workings and technicalities of it without really concerning themselves with the feeling of it, if that makes sense. learning and remembering rules and settings and whatever is nice and great and obviously important to know, especially for a beginnner but restricting yourself to only those things can really hold you back in certain situations i feel.

[@thabstract0ne]

Agreed....I learned more about composition with this video, thanks mate!

[@reinerm9910]

Absolutely! Will last for a lifetime ... The dance of the elements.

[@jameshoy380]

One of my professors often says: “we don’t point our cameras at things, we point our cameras at relationships.”

[@gabetestingarmamods7272]

deep........

[@corykphotography]

If I like it, I shoot it. But I try to capture it in a sense that conveys how I actually view it. Visually and how it makes me feel. It is our job to express how the subject makes us feel.

[@Just_Call_Me_Tim]

You just (3 months ago) said what I've been thinking better than I've been able to bring to words for a long time. That's what I aim to do with my lunar shots and the things I see of The Quiet at the end of my work days (I'm a trucker). There's just something about places that I see that change when everyone leaves for the day.

[@pnda4258]

@@Just_Call_Me_TimYES ! I take pictures of empty spaces in metro stations for that… I love to put that liminal feeling into a photo!

[@washinours]

As an illustrator with poor composition skills this video is a golden nugget, thank you

[@dbarrywilliams]

One of the houses across the frosty field at around the 1’ 40 mark is the place I grew up. I remember many cold winter mornings and also playing in the long grass of that same field just before it was cut for hay.

[@DanielGonzalez-jg5bx]

And THIS is why I follow you. Such a simple yet powerful concept that elevates our photography to another level. Well done James!

[@dominicmirenda1376]

This is golden. This video should go far and wide - I will never not include this "dance of the characters" when teaching or shooting!

[@rexbenny1553]

Oh my. That picture you showed at 2:38? Amazing. Just amazing. The intention, the pull, the magnificence and the feeling of, being this small tiny existence all rolled into one amazing picture. Wow. In awe sir, in awe.

[@altea7213]

The one at 2:52 too

[@marciolabio]

I must admit that I've never actively thought of an image composed in such a way that there are different subjects participating in telling a story. This was very inspiring and your pictures, when seen through these lenses, look even more astonishing. Great job, both for the video and for your pictures.

[@eorsjr]

Very insightful video, James! Made me realize how much I focus on isolating single subjects while paying little to no attention to supporting subjects.

[@andrewwillows4333]

Very well said

[@TheArtist441]

James, there’s something very special about your photography style. It’s that special sauce beyond what words can explain. I really like it

[@GameLikeYouMeanIt]

I am about 270 days into a daily photo challenge. I have found myself doing a lot of landscape/street because of it. This is incredibly helpful advice

[@Skene_O]

I Loved the comment " If I see something that I think looks nice, I will want to photograph it". That statement is lost on so many new photographers because it is easy to fall in to at the trap of trying to replicate another creators shoot. Keeping it real James, and always love to hear your perspective on how you compose your photos.

[@safegourd]

I'm a painter and this is one of the best ways i've seen to frame (ha) good composition. Definitely applies to all visual art, not just photography. Even in non-representational art, there is still a focal point and supporting "actors" - it's just the subjects are now shapes, colors, patterns instead of objects

[@michaelj.1121]

That’s REALLY useful way of visualizing the approach - excellent advice

[@adriecoot]

Refreshing to see this video after scrolling through youtube and seeing a bunch of "photography" videos talking about nothing but specs of the latest cameras that came out... Cheers!

[@nabeeldanish4374]

Simple. Easy to follow, straight to the point, and easy enough for even a beginner like me to follow. This was really one of the best videos on composition I have seen, and so for that, you got yourself a subscriber

[@washingtonradio]

Thanks James, I like the concept of a "star" and "supporting" elements in a shot. I think this is a more useful concept than the various "rules" as it seems more natural than the rules often are.

[@nurulkharisma8096]

I'm a beginner and this is the most useful composition technique I've ever seen. Thanks for the video, James!

[@hepcatliz]

the one at 10:11 I love this! the balance of the trios, horizontally and vertically, really works. And the surprise surfers? Lovely photograph 😮❤

[@roojanday]

This was actually one of the most useful videos I’ve seen. James it’s like a lightbulb moment. Great explanation, makes total sense and I’ll never look at compositions like I used to. Keep up the great work 👍🏽

[@gavinkerslake]

i like your videos. I started photography in 2009. before that I had nothing to do with it. self-taught and always listening to others, like yourself. thanks.

[@AbimaelOrtiz]

One of the most interesting aspects of your photography is the composition and the main reason why I like your work.

[@buildingpickleball]

I’m more involved in videography than photography but found this one fascinating and useful. Thanks for sharing, super easy to watch.

[@alexgimagery]

This is probably one of your most helpful and insightful posts. You've done an excellent job describing the relationships between the main subject and supporting subjects.

[@task07]

That was so insightful! I've watched a few tutorials on composition, and this take on it is definitely unique. Thanks for the tips.

[@ronboe6325]

Have not thought of it this way and find this is an excellent way to, conscientiously, frame up a shot.

[@florencequinn7720]

One of the best videos on composition. Thanks James.

[@hoodie3810]

I think it's really interesting that James brought up the photo of Antarctica and I at first thought the hut was the subject. James has spoken of his love for manmade objects in nature and it stands out with a pop of colour, so I figured the penguins are a really nice supporting element to give context to the location. And then he said the penguins are the subject and I looked again and thought, yeah, that makes sense, there's more movement there to draw the eye and that's where he's put the focal plane. But it really goes to show how even such fundamental aspects of photography such as the subject of the image can be open to interpretation and subjective to the viewer.

[@thedachmo]

I absolutely love this philosophy/approach. You're dead right about how rules make people take photos of uninteresting subjects! The supporting elements is going to be something I'll definitely be taking out into the field, thank you!

[@GregHildred]

One of the best videos on composition. Thanks James.

[@GeoffGrant2010]

Very helpful! Nice discussion of composition w/o some of the standard “rules” or guidelines! Geoff

[@leechap82]

This one is getting saved to my “killer photography videos” playlist. Thank you for giving us this fresh perspective. Can’t wait to try it.

[@nancymatheson8602]

This is the first "fresh" discussion of composition I've encountered in quite a while. Thanks for giving me another tool for organizing my compositions.

[@fiskz]

Thanks for the video. Personal tastes definitely impact decisions. The country house to me was the supporting subject for the fence.

[@AleMca]

i've been an amateur for a while now, and found myself bored at my own photos not knowing why your video helped tremendously to understand that i was stuck on simply following composition rules and in order to grow in my work, i had to forget those rules and focus on how to tell stories visually thanks so much!

[@joetag5429]

Bravo mate. A difficult subject expertly explained in a creative, succinct and entertaining manner. Multiple thumbs up.

[@yokayoksven]

Best advice on composition I've hear on KZbin. I never thought of composition like that, and now I'm eager to try it.

[@developingtank]

This is great. Most channels run through standard info on composition. Can’t say I’ve seen one like this.

[@TudorSmithPhotography]

Brilliant. I often enjoy including other elements in a photo when I'm focusing on a subject. I never considered the idea of supporting subjects. This was really helpful. Thank you.

[@gregdarroch1946]

I really like the way you expressed this method of setting up a shot. I will be attempting to do exactly that when I next venture out. Just have to wait a week for my cataract surgery to settle down before I get back into it.

[@EmanuelePanni1983]

This is one of the most eye opening video about photography I've seen. Can't wait to go out and shoot to apply a new fresh way to look at composition!

[@cameroholic67]

Wonderful video!!! Knowing all of the rules for perspective and composition are good, but more often than not I feel like they trap me and limit what I feel like I can create, often leaving me feeling frustrated or discouraged. This concept of supporting subjects is incredibly freeing and honestly inspires more creativity and excitement. Thank you, thank you for this video and for sharing your work, which is incredible and inspiring.

[@demetriosjoannou]

I just did a video on composition (latest video) and I would agree with you James, the supporting subjects are so important to a scene/frame. I think for beginners, it's good them to be aware of the rules of composition, however, the danger is they fixate on those rules and get frustrated when out shooting. I think an iterative approach to photography should be adopted, just get out and take some photos. On reviewing these images, go back and try and make it better. Over time, these rules will become second nature and spotting how to compose a good frame will become far easier. Great video mate, thanks for sharing.

[@TimmHagen]

Truly inspiring. I've had a hiatus on going outside and taking photos for a while because I was in a bit of a personal crisis, but today you gave me some more will and fantasy to go out and shoot some. You convey your artistic skill very nicely.

[@jasper2771]

I can’t believe your videos are free. Keep up the amazing work

[@nathananderson8720]

This is one of the channels that gave me the courage to start my KZbin channel 9 months ago about self development. Now I have 1,726 subs and > 1k hours of watch time. I know it’s not comparable with others but I’m still proud I started because I’ve been learning so many lessons that I could haven’t learned without getting started in the 1st place.

[@christinasmith9032]

As you say, it boils down to taste. I really like the shots that have a few things going on, or ones where there is more context (so not *just* penguins) but penguins with a hut and some mountains. I also like the photos where there's good balance of colours and shapes. I really like the last example of adding the road in front of the grey house. Really helps to eliminate some of the distracting things like power lines and such.

[@JFW5358]

This is some of the best advice I've been given. Thanks James. Inconsequential is a perfectly good word.

[@user-uo8mx3cv5k]

You just perfectly summarized how I do photography. I think a lot of people including me who got into photography because of films/cinematography have the exact same mindset. When you create this relationship between the subject and what's around it, you suddenly create a scene.

[@Jake-vt4ow]

Top notch advice. Explained in a way I haven’t heard before, and it’s made so much sense. Thank you, so much. I love your work!

[@rosalieb7909]

As someone previously commented, this video helps me understand how to get my images to be about something rather than of something! Thank You!

[@GeorgiannDeen]

Very insightful video, James! Made me realize how much I focus on isolating single subjects while paying little to no attention to supporting subjects.

[@benw2751]

Been watching you for years. Just wanted to take a moment and say thank you. I learn so much from you (almost) every time and find your approach to topics original and it jives with my mindset. Please keep it up I’ll keep watching.

[@nicholasstarrantino6405]

thank you for this video. finally a video on how to think, not just rules of thirds and things

[@kevindonnelly8862]

I love showcasing the location in my shots. It gives very useful narrative context. This is one of the reasons I love my 30 mm lens xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[@keeganoconnellphotography]

Informative and entertaining as always! Can’t wait for your next book!

[@MorbusBahlsen]

Wow. Just wow. The pictures illustrating your idea are spot on and the technique behind explained as simple as it could get. This is the why to what amount of negative space, this is the why to how many elements to include, this is the why to waiting long hours, this is the why to many more things glueing the result together in many ways. I'm flabbergasted and hope to be able to at least incorporate just a tiny bit more of this each time to get better. The genious behind it is that it is not a plain technical rule but a precise manual of storytelling. Just the execution itself needs to be practiced. A lot I suppose. A must see for every serious photographer. Thanks for making my day, what a gem!

[@martinorech391]

One of the most inspiring and on point videos i’ve ever seen on photography. Thanks for sharing this simple, but groundbreaking concept

[@markflinders8312]

Brilliant video, thank you. So easy to understand and has provided some new inspiration!

[@darryljungen8307]

Thank you, James. Great explanation of a complicated process. I really appreciate that you provide information in a clear, concise and slightly humous way.

[@JamesHanks]

as someone with a bit of knowledge of the technical this has really helped me think around things i’ve always felt very stuck with, thanks mate!

[@mariano4i6]

James, you’ve just put to shame all those books and rules that you mentioned in the beginning of the video with your smart, eloquent and CONSEQUENTIAL explanation of composition. Brilliantly done, man!

[@ivanbarrientos7106]

I have being doing this since long time ago, but in a purely intuitive way. This video has greatly helped me to understand my own way of doing things and refine my perception of my own photography (mental ?) work flow in order to simplify it , in direct benefit of my getting meaningful images. This has been the most important video I have had the opportunity to watch in a longtime. Thanks !

[@jeffML3926]

I love the inclusion of your photos throughout these 'concepts of photography' vids... so useful, and cool to see some of your great shots!!

[@charlotteice5704]

That was very impactful, thanks! My approach to composition has previously been "turn the grid on and get things to line up, and try to frame things" but my photos have been hit or miss thus far. Now I know why that is and what I can improve.

[@harrykitch9239]

Very helpful way to crystalize composition - other rules help once you have the subject & supporting subject firmly in place. Thanks

[@jtbatista]

This is amazing. I am more of a photo-journalistic photographer and I just like to grasp the message of the moments and capture them. This just simply emphasize what I like to majorly focus on when I shoot. 👏

[@jacob.munkhammar]

Best advice I've heard in a long while. And very inspiring. Thank you!

[@TSIMPSFILMS]

Solid video! It’s cool to watch someone articulate (very well I would add) how I approach composition. Thanks for posting!

[@johmbon]

I just dicovered you thanks to a friend and most of your photos are PURE BEAUTY to my eyes. I can't but appreciate them and it just makes me want to take more pictures I love, and I just bought a new Canon R10 with a 50mm 1.8 and I hope it's going to be a fun journey

[@-grey]

Fantastic insight, James. This is the most useful intermediate relevant tidbit I've heard about photography since dynamic symmetry was popular a few years ago. Quality work and photos here. ✌️

[@Davidkiania]

This is absolutely invaluable and will definitely use this in my next project especially when it comes to sports and concerts ... Thank you

[@neveraboringday-yt]

Completely revolutionized the way I think. Thank you so much!

[@gregnielsen7924]

Excellent. The movie analogy really holds the whole lesson together. The lead and supporting actors helps grasp the method for “telling the story”.

[@snoopdoggty1086]

you are a life savior! i was feeling lost and on an all time low and depressing phase of photography as i felt my compositions are not great and here you are!

[@zain-riaz]

mate so many of those shots are just beautifully done

[@AshleeDenaro]

Stunning work. The explanation of story-telling in these combines an aspect of photojournalism that I love, but in almost a cinematic way-simply lovely

[@f4.therapy]

Such a brilliant analogy James, love this idea of a main character and their supporting subjects! Great work! 👍

[@BrunoPozo4Real]

Such a small and subtle difference, but I love the idea of a subject and a support. I read another comment that said, to “take pictures of relationships, not things”. Thank you for sharing! Cheers

[@benjhaisch]

love the actor analogy. I've always used musical terms of melody and counter melody.

[@brianv3742]

The best video I have seen on composition. From 8:58-9:58 is golden. Thanks James!

[@viktorpaulsen627]

This video is the best I have seen about composition (in photography)!!! (I have seen hundreds of videos about photography).

[@viktorpaulsen627]

I wish we could get more videos, expanding further about this. I have just now tried out the learnings from the video and it worked great. But sometimes when I photograph, I have a problem to define what is the main subject. Let's say I am in a mountain landscape with some moors with many interesting colors and a variety of plants, some rock formations on the side, a few low trees, some low clouds, a wood in the background and so on, a lot of stuff that plays well together. I take a photograph because the whole scene is nice. But I cannot single out what is the main subject. Is the whole scene the main subject?

[@kirokyo]

The concept of subject and supporting subjects is so powerful and changes the way I think of composing a photo. Putting it in that frame work, it helps understand all of the other composition techniques, which is how to add to the main subject and make it interesting. Thank you for this!

[@CY3ER]

Beautiful photos that showcase the concepts that you're talking about. I particularly like those orange towers. Thank you for the awesome video. I'll be thinking of this next time in out with my camera.

[@jonwelsh3203]

Expertly delivered, Inspiring and absolutely great work.Having become a fan of your channel over the last few months I find each post really insightful. Your humbleness is so refreshing.. Top notch Sir.....

[@bondrawin5926]

A one of powerful video for me who cannot find the inspiration for the new idea of photography lately, Thanks so much!

[@mallmone3562]

Thanks

[@reubenbailey7491]

Definitely should try this! Not going to pretend I'm anything but a complete beginner, so I have tried to keep it simple when it comes to composition, but if (like you said) I see an opportunity to portray a dynamic or relationship between two elements I should definitely think this way.

[@kif411]

Thanks for your insight. I like that idea of "lead actor & supporting actor". What a great way to look at how to capture an image 🙂

[@saltedjazza]

Looking fit Mr Popsys. Lovely video too and I'll definitely be thinking more about the supporting cast of my photos 🎉

[@kdub-1200]

Thanks!

[@DonaldDork]

Your photos are absolutely wonderful. They are like a warm, comforting treat for my eyes. Thank you for sharing your insights. This is the first time that I'm learning of this concept of Supporting Subjects & the Compositing techniques that you use. I feel inspired. 🙏

[@Life_of_TUSH]

This is explained so well!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!!! It's a dance and communication from two subjects!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

[@theoderzweite8272]

For me you are the best photographer in terms of composition Almost every picture you take is worth a gallery!

[@andrewwillows4333]

I watch all your videos, loads of others and read every book on photography I can get my hands on. This is the first time I heard the concept of supporting actors in photography. Fantastic video James.

[@yashshah6508]

Your video randomly popped up on my feed and I’m so glad it did. I feel motivated to get back to pursuing photography as a hobby and learning more about its techniques. Thanks James!

[@sarah.ashley.]

Love the colours in your photos. Fantastic!