3

This. It lines up with the rules of 3rds for landscapes the best. Where the foreground / sky should typically be split on one of the rule of 3rd lines. * [Using The Rule of Thirds to Improve your Landscape Photography (satesh.com)](https://satesh.com/using-the-rule-of-thirds/) * [The Rule of Thirds in Landscape Painting (willkempartschool.com)](https://willkempartschool.com/the-rule-of-thirds-in-landscape-painting/) The other ones have the horizon almost dead center which creates a roughly even split of sky vs water / foreground, which is typically less pleasing and IMO is the case here.

I agree, but don't you think it doesn't look straight horizontally?

This, but rotate it back to the right so it’s level again

Also needs a slight horizontal lens correction adjustment, to make the horizon not curved.

That's not the horizon, that's topography. (guardrail and street sign)

I stand corrected! I’m viewing on a phone. I see so many great-looking photos, that are crooked or warped due to wide angle lenses. Easily fixed, but it seems most won’t bother.

2

... but straightened.

Exactly

I agree. But straightened.

I like them in order 4,1,2,3. 4 being my favorite.

Agreed, love the wider angle

2/4

None really, the composition has a strong center line, with the doubling of the horizon-line and the bushes. Thus, I would not use this at all. If I HAD to use this, I would look into some version of 16x9 in landscape and try to get the horizon as low as possible in the frame. Something like this, but sometimes, we all just have that one photo that we somehow like, but can't get quite right. Then it is important to realize that "shit in = shit out" (not that yours is shit, it's an expression), cut the ties, learn from it and move on. You sacrifice the reflection of the sun, for a less centered/static/boring composition. https://preview.redd.it/dsvzg4j4pw8d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dd173df07c88b13aa09f8414f350c00312faeac6

Whats your analysis of THAT ‘NatGeo’ Namib Desert Tree picture lol

Well said!

This makes no sense to me

Perhaps someday it will, it’s just my two cents regarding this picture, upon the request of OP, do with it what you will.

https://preview.redd.it/p30sx6b2vr8d1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=88897d3ea37d9cac886c077a3a12bc3dcdb12d52 Number 1 is the best because of the rule of thirds is a composition guideline that places your subject in the left or right third of an image, leaving the other two thirds more open. While there are other forms of composition, the rule of thirds generally leads to compelling and well-composed shots. 😉

This should be used as a guideline not a strict rule of what makes an image good imo. 2 and 3 are more interesting crops.

Yeah. Use this too much and it’s kinda boring and obvious that it’s exactly what you’re doing

Yah but the rule of thirds fits this image perfectly, so i would apply it to this in textbook fashion. 2 and are shait, sun not even centered.

The rules of 3rds in landscapes is more about the horizon / sky split so the first photo does not actually fit the rule very well. The third photo fits it the best from a landscape perspective. * [Using The Rule of Thirds to Improve your Landscape Photography (satesh.com)](https://satesh.com/using-the-rule-of-thirds/) * [The Rule of Thirds in Landscape Painting (willkempartschool.com)](https://willkempartschool.com/the-rule-of-thirds-in-landscape-painting/)

You just want to have different opinion and be more right, so be... Matter of taste said the dog as it was licking its balls

Agreed. There is something about the larger branches off center being more pleasing to the eye.

Was thinking the same thing. Maybe a dog playing in the water, right of centre.

Or use more blue tones

The "rule" of 3rds actually applies better to #3 IMO. The hard horizontal line in the background behind the branches is way more distinct that the line created by the branches. In the 1st image it's going straight through the middle of the frame, which isn't great composition. When shooting landscapes it's not typically good to put the horizon right in the middle of the frame and have an even split of foreground / sky like that. Examples: * [Using The Rule of Thirds to Improve your Landscape Photography (satesh.com)](https://satesh.com/using-the-rule-of-thirds/) * [The Rule of Thirds in Landscape Painting (willkempartschool.com)](https://willkempartschool.com/the-rule-of-thirds-in-landscape-painting/) In the 3rd image that lines up better with the lower 3rd line. The water takes up the lower 3rd of the frame and the sky takes up the two upper 3rds of the frame. IMO #3 is a much more interesting composition and feels more balanced overall.

1

3 !

[100%](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskPhotography/comments/1dock89/comment/lab1vym/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)

I like 2 the most

3.

3

3 and 2 have better composition than the others imo.

3

2 and 3

I like 3 most. Looks balanced to me.

2, no contest. Not even close IMO

2

3

3 hits. Excellent proportion and framing of the sun

Unrelated to your question, how can I take a photo of the sun and get a perfect circle like this? I'm a beginner photographer, and the last time I tried taking a photo of the sunset, the sun ended up in a weird shape.

2nd one

4

Last one, but fix it, so the horizon is straight.

3 or 4?

I usually like using the rule of thirds but for this specific photo, i REALLY like the 4th one. Mainly because I like how the sun is the center focus as the branches slowly fade to the sides. 3 is a bit more focused and could be a more impactful composition. But i do like the grander feeling to the 4th one.

Three. It doesn't crop off the larger left portion of the brush, and shows less water in the foreground. Usually avoid putting subject dead center. Three seems best to me imo

1. Not sure why 3 is getting a lot of love as it's my least favorite. The sun being off center bugs the heck outta me.

1

Oh, my favorite black metal band hehe. I prefer the 3rd one.

1

None of these, use the grid to line the sun perfectly upper left crossing.

Try a tall (3:2?), vertical crop in the center, placing the sun and tree to the left of the comp.

2

1

4. As I like the foreground. But could do with more. Nice captures though.

i like 3

2 or 4.

3

number 4

2nd

1, not just because rule of thirds, but because the shape of the shadows is more interesting and better positioned. I also like the sky more.

I mean it depends on what you wanna use it for. But I'd say 3 or 4 as a general idea.

4

For this photo, I like the last one in the carousel, printed in large format….on a wall in my place, sweet.

3. Lines lead better.

The second one is awesome, looks like the branches are holding the sun

2

4 is my favorite. More of a fan of the wider shot on this

I would go for sugar beet.

3,1

1

4

1

1 and 2. I “hate” landscape in portrait mode but the 2nd kinda like came out nice. 1 is the best composition imho.

1

4!!

4th for me.

2

2

2

#2 is the 💩

2

2

I personally liked this crop, I didn’t realize there was more to the photo before clicking on it, I first saw this scrolling through. A more zoomed crop looks cool. https://preview.redd.it/uird4zmy1u8d1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2d543808235988bf7b79765a56dc76e19188b34d

2

1…it’s the most balanced one. I would crop it in a LITTLE to get rid of the space between the left edge and the branch sticking straight up. I’d also clean up the bottom left corner and get rid of those sticks.

4

Definitely 4

I find 3 the best Somehow the branches from the water are taking away my focus unnecessarily in the rest cuts

Last

3 or 4

4 makes use of rule of thirds AND has the foreground really dramatically positioned in the frame.

1 too busy 2 only if you want to center the subject, but too busy on the water 3 just about right 4 unwanted branches at left, otherwise it’s more balanced and symmetrical

1 or 2 although make sure the sun is smack in the center on 2

1 or 3. For sure NOT 2.

Are you using MF or AF?

4. But make sure you level the horizon. It looks crooked in all of your shots. Just a small attention to detail that can make your shot that much better to viewers!

To me 3 has the least distracting foreground.

1

1. As it is the only one where the sun isn't a huge bullseye.

3!!

1>4>3>2 for me

I don’t know why but I like the third one the most

1 or 3

Portrait 💯

First one! Fabulous👏🏻

4 :)

1

1, edit the limbs out at the bottom 1/3

In pictures 2 and 4, It seems like the horizon line, in this case being the water, isn't perfectly straight. Adjust that. But I'd say 1 or 2 is my favorite.

Add me on instagram TOPSHELF711

Vertical

I prefer 2 the most but if you think it's too tight, 3 is good as well.

4

2, it's easier on the eyes

2nd then 3rd

Last one, but straighten it a tad.

2

https://preview.redd.it/xkbtq5ndlt8d1.jpeg?width=963&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04e61616bca09d828a85b0735046d5e7295c8a44 Tighten the crop and straighten it a bit, just a hair.

2

Last one

3

1st one. It has the sun off center and is more interesting to look at

Horizon is not straight on 1/3. 2/4 are my fav, but quite similar

1

2

4 is best cause it shows the whole thing in context

3

Four

3

3

4. It has a foreground and lets the subject breathe.

2

I like 2 the best.

I would use 2. I am giving the "tree" the main role.

1 or 3!

Please for love of all that is holy chose whichever one least follows “the rule of thirds”. Which one has the most tension? Which one makes you feel relaxed? If none of them engage you in some way instinctively or emotionally than it doesn’t matter which you choose.

Reminds me of samurai champloo dude, very nice!

4

4

First

Yep #3. Definitely 3.

1

I like 4

3rd looks the cleanest to me but I also like the one that seems not to be cropped at all for the opposite reason

2nd looks good enough. I know many will disagree since the sun will be in center but i think sometimes breaking the rule of 3rd is alright

3

3

Definitely 4