Good point.  I guess I should clarify.
In photography, for landscape photography in particular, the part of the photo
that has the "central" or core feature is placed about two thirds over to one
side and about a third from the top or bottom of the frame, so as not to place
it smack-dab in the middle of the frame.  For some reason this is not usually
pleasing to the eye. Of course this is only a guideline. Sometimes the
background is nice, but hasn't any single feature of importance, and a
foreground feature is placed in the bottom 1/3 of the frame, 2/3s over
horizontally.  Horizons are usually 2/3 up or down, and not exactly halfway
also.  Of course this all depends on what the photographer thinks looks good.
I usually only pay a semi-conscious attention to the guideline when I frame a
shot.  And in wildflower photography, one often has to go for smack-dead center
to get the proper focus.  Whenever I look at nice landscapes or other pictures
I often look at how the photographer has framed his composition, and the "rule
of thirds" shows up a lot.
There seems something a bit "magical" about threes (three wishes, three
charcters per joke etc.  I was once told that speakers like to give 3 points to
illustrate an idea because our minds are comfortable with 3's).
Oh, and thanks for the free tips on decorating and floral arrangements!  You
sound like a very artistic person.
Nora
 
Sylvia S. Edwards wrote:
 
> What is the rule of thirds in photography?  In using color in decorating, I
> was taught that a room should have three colors.  One color, being 2/3's,
> the second 1/3, and a touch of the third.
>
> In floral arrangement, the proportion between container and flowers is in
> thirds.  The tallest piece should be at least 1 1/2 times the height (or
> width, as the case may be) of the container.
>
> Japanese floral arranging is a lesson on life.  Each incorporates the rule
> of three - heaven, man, and earth.  Also, you never use an even number of
> flowers - always an odd number.
>
> Maybe its is just that I like triangles as opposed to squares and circles.
>
> Sylvia S. Edwards
> Huntsville, Alabama
> [log in to unmask]
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: NORA BRYAN <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 1999 1:12 PM
> Subject: Re: [CONCH-L] fAVORITE sHELLS
>
> <snip>
>
> > Symmetry is a strange thing.  Maybe people are more drawn to symmetrical
> shells
> > (although few shells are truly symmetrical), as they may be with faces,
> but I am
> > not sure this extends in all areas.  Two other hobbies I dabble in,
> photography
> > and gardening, assymetry is nearly always the order of the day.  Most
> > photographers use the "rule of thirds" in standard compositions.  The
> subject is
> > rarely dead center.
>
> <snip>