Composition Rules in Depth: Remember the Rule of Odds
- Gary Holpin
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Those of you who followed my series of blogs on 'The ten ingredients of great landscape photos' will know that composition comes very high up the list! Those of you who have attended any of my training courses will also know that I always teach composition as the first topic. Why? Because learning the art of composition is the most important skill for any developing photographer; in fact, simply by mastering composition, you can hugely improve your photos with any camera. It's for this reason that, in this series of blogs, we're looking in depth at the art of composition.
The ingredients of great landscape photos
Other than finding a great subject to photograph, composition is the next most important factor in any great landscape photo.
What are composition rules?
I firmly believe that understanding and improving your composition is the quickest and easiest way to improve your photos, whatever camera you use. This is why it’s the topic that I always cover first in all of my training courses, both for mobile phone users and DSLR camera users
Why do snaps so rarely do justice to a beautiful view?
I'm sure we've all stood looking at a beautiful view, pointed our camera at it and snapped the shutter, only to get home and realised that whilst the view was beautiful, the photo is just plain dull! The reason for this is that we are used to seeing with our amazing binocular vision which sees the world in in three dimensions. As soon as we lose that third dimension in creating a two- dimensional photo, this view can immediately lose its essence. Put simply, a two-dimensional representation of a beautiful view can often be boring!
So, how do we make photos of beautiful views interesting?
To make a two-dimensional landscape photo more interesting, it's necessary to use one or more tricks, to build interest into the image. In a 'point and shoot’ snap of that beautiful view, there is likely to be little to grab the interest of the viewer, and they are more than likely to glance at it and then look away (which equals boring!). Instead, to develop as a photographer, you need to move away from taking a snap and move towards composing an image which grabs the viewers’ attention, pulling them into, and through the photo. This journey forces them to look longer at the photo, and in doing so, makes it more interesting to look at.
One of the easiest ways of improving that photo is to use one or more little tricks, often called ‘composition rules’ to make the image more interesting to look at and help to do better justice to that beautiful view. Although there are loads of composition rules (just Google it and you will find hundreds!), below are a handful of what I believe are the most powerful ones to have in your mental checklist when composing a photo.
Ensure you have a focal point
Construct your frame using the rule of thirds
Utilise lead-in lines to help draw the viewer into the frame
Use layers to help give depth
Find foreground interest especially when shooting wide
Embrace symmetry
Provide a sense of scale
Use the rule of odds
Keep your edges clean
Embrace diagonals
Use negative space
Ensure balance
Over this series of blogs, we'll look in detail at each of these 'rules' to help equip you with a mental checklist for how to compose better landscapes.
Composition Rule Number 8: Remember the Rule of Odds
The rule of odds is a compositional technique that suggests that images with an odd number of subjects are more aesthetically pleasing and dynamic than those with an even number of subjects. The human brain prefers things framed on either side, resulting in an odd number of subjects and creating a better visual harmony.
How the Rule of Odds Works
The rule of odds taps into the brain's tendency to create order. When viewing a group of objects, people unconsciously want to group them in pairs, but with an odd number of objects (such as three, five, or seven), the group cannot be easily organized. The viewer looks longer at the image, moving between the individual elements.
Applying the Rule of Odds
Here's how to apply the rule of odds in different photography scenarios:
Still Life Photography: Arrange objects in groups of three or five rather than in pairs, position the focal point centrally while maintaining an odd-numbered composition, and experiment with spacing and angles to achieve a balanced yet dynamic look.
Portrait Photography: Add a third person to break symmetry when photographing people. When photographing a couple, introduce an additional element (such as a pet or an object) to maintain an odd-numbered composition. Position one subject slightly forward to add depth and avoid a flat composition.
Nature and Landscape Photography: Frame your shot around one or three prominent trees instead of a pair for a more balanced and engaging scene. Capture three birds in flight rather than two to create a more dynamic composition. When photographing rocks, flowers, or mountains, incorporate an odd number of elements in the foreground to enhance visual interest.
Street and Architectural Photography: Capture three people walking in the frame instead of two for a more dynamic and engaging composition. When photographing buildings, look for structures with three focal points, such as windows or arches, to create visual balance. Use reflections and shadows to introduce an odd-numbered composition and add depth to your images.
The rule of odds does not require any unique subject pattern layout; however, certain configurations are more effective with this rule. You can utilize the triangle composition approach to arrange the subjects in the frame, where each subject is one of the triangle’s vertices. You can also arrange subjects in odd numbers along a line, whether vertical, horizontal, or diagonal to the frame.
Making Odds Work for You
As we’ve discussed, the rule of odds suggests that images with an odd number of subjects tend to be more aesthetically pleasing. But what happens when the scene in front of you doesn't naturally offer an odd number of elements? Don't despair! There are several ways to tweak your composition to adhere to this helpful rule.
Deliberate Composition: This is the most traditional approach. As you're setting up your shot, pay close attention to the edges of your frame. Can you adjust your position, your zoom, or your camera angle to exclude an extra element and leave you with just one or three (or five, or seven)? For example, if you're photographing a group of four trees, try moving slightly to the left or right to obscure one of them behind another.
Crop with Purpose: Don't be afraid to crop your image in post-processing. If you have a great shot of four boats, consider cropping one out to leave a more dynamic trio. When cropping, maintain a pleasing balance in the image and avoid cropping too tightly, which can make the composition feel cramped.
Embrace the Power of AI (With Caution!): Modern AI editing tools offer incredible capabilities. Many programs now allow you to remove unwanted elements from your photos with relative ease. If you have a distracting object that disrupts your odd number composition, AI can be a viable solution. However, use this power responsibly. Over-reliance on AI can lead to unnatural-looking images. Always aim for the most natural composition possible in-camera. And remember, ethical considerations come into play when drastically altering a scene, especially in documentary or photojournalistic contexts.
Change your Focal Length: By using your lens' focal length, you can control the elements included or excluded in a scene. When composing a photograph, using a wider focal length allows you to include more elements within the frame, whereas using a narrower focal length means that you include less. This can be used to help you achieve the rule of odds.
Adjust your Aperture: Adjusting the aperture of your lens can assist you when trying to apply the rule of odds. A wide aperture, for example f/1.8, is useful when you want to blur unwanted distractions that could draw attention away from the main area of focus. This is useful in situations where you have to photograph subjects that are grouped in an even number as it allows you to direct the viewer's attention to the main area of focus.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – the rule of odds. It's a simple concept, but like all compositional techniques, it's one that improves with practice. Get out there, experiment with different arrangements, and see how adding or subtracting elements affects the feel of your photographs. You might be surprised at the difference a single tweak can make.
Some examples
In the images below, the rule of odds has been followed - apart from one photo where it hasn't (the last one). I'll leave you to make your own conclusion on whether the photo still works, or not!
Want professional help improving your photography skills?
Don't forget that if you want some direct help with your photography, I offer a range of 1-2-1 photography courses for Devon based folks. If you're not nearby then I also offer residential workshops for beginner photographers or improving photographers.
About Gary Holpin Photography
As a professional photographer based in Devon, my journey began along the stunning South West Coast Path. Disappointed with my initial attempts to capture its beauty, I embarked on a second 630-mile journey, this time dedicated to mastering photography. Today, I'm a nationally acclaimed photographer with award-winning landscape photos.
I specialize in providing top-notch property photography, business photography, and drone photography services to businesses across the South West. Additionally, I offer comprehensive photography training courses tailored for both businesses and individuals. Whether you're looking to enhance your corporate image or improve your personal photography skills, my training programs are designed to help you capture stunning images.
As an award-winning and widely published photographer, I frequently share my passion for photography and Devon through engaging talks at local camera clubs and community groups. My expertise spans the entire South West region, ensuring that clients from Devon, Dorset & Somerset benefit from high-quality photography services and training.
