Did you know that three is a magic number?Have you ever wondered why there were three musketeers or three piglets?Why are three wishes or three opportunities always granted until we “win” or a three-thirds rule in composition?Like the Holy Trinity, throughout history there are many civilizations and religions that have considered the three as a magical and divine number, encompassing the whole, the perfect number, if you look a little, you will see how this number appears as the protagonist of many authors, philosophers, scientists, religious, etc.It’s a good reason, isn’t it?
Therefore, among other aspects, in the photographic composition is also special, today I will show you these 9 photographs.Three is the rhythm, it’s the number of elements that attracts the most, it’s breaking the excessive balance of two, it’s grouping without crushing, without losing interest, let’s look at that with examples.
- The mere fact that a third figure has changed position breaks the rhythm of the composition and draws attention.
It’s also a good way to add depth to your image.Foreground, middle plane and background. In this way, we get a little more “three-dimensionality”.
Imagine this image with only two phones. It certainly wouldn’t be that interesting.It doesn’t matter what the three of us call each other.
In narrative photography, two can tell a story, but a third will give you more appeal, excitement and life.As in this example, I love the right frog, looking at the other two at the wrong end and facing circumstance.In fact, the story is tell by her, don’t you think?
With a third element it is also easier to create a contrast, if there were only two chairs, there would be no such contrast, even if they were different, the chair on the left is the one that makes the difference with the others, the one that says, “Hey, here I am!”
Here’s another example of using three, three three.Double three, as a visual trick to get attention.
Although in this case the cable is the diagonal, you can use three elements to draw an imaginary diagonal, remember the use of lines in the composition and strength of the diagonal of the image, it is a way to transmit more tension.
With one element, we have an absolute protagonist, we can represent loneliness, isolation or even anxiety depending on how we represent it.Two elements help us create symmetries, romantic images, company?When you have three elements, other feelings of friendship, family, etc., that go beyond the couple.
On the other hand, there is the rule of odd numbers, which states that odd elements are more visually appealing, while pairs are more static, even boring.Remember the rule of the thirds, or the horizon, do the three still appear?Geometric figures with odd sides tend to be more dynamic to the eye, creating more tension. A square isn’t the same as a triangle, is it?three is also more attractive than a group of two.And if you move on to five, make sure they lose their individual importance, they will see themselves as a large group and become practically “an element”.
Finally I leave you this image in which there is a fun game of three, three glasses, three cutlery, three plates.Three out of three, chance or intentionality? I would swear the last;).
You have no more excuses. If you haven’t taken any pictures in a while because you think your inspiration has run out, here’s a good dose.A push to see if it’s true or not, whether you agree or not.Take your camera and go looking for groups.three-element, you can start at home!
Besides, I encourage you to take a test, are you trying to take the same picture with a different number of elements, two, three, four?And try to see which image is most attractive, if you have doubts or can’t see them, you may need a few days to review the photos “from afar”.Another trick is, without telling them anything, to ask several people nearby which of these photos they find most interesting or attractive.
You can also do another test, try to find stability with three elements or make sure that two elements have the same appeal as two playing with balance or your imagination. The rules of photography exist, of course, but breaking them also has a reward.. You set the limits. The possibilities are as many as you want.
And if this article was useful or interesting to you, keep sharing it, there are many photographers who need inspiration and expect a good excuse to go out with the camera.Thank you and soon.