Subject speaking to the viewer and rule of thirds.

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Courses > Shot Composition > Discussions

Course Feedback

Shot Composition by Michael Rosenblum

Topic : Subject speaking to the viewer and rule of thirds.

Started by kellopes on Sep 22, 2011 at 10:22 am

I dont know if this is exactly a discussion but since it is a question I didn't want to put on the comment area. I would like if Michael R. would answer this please. When the subject is speaking to the viewer like a speach or lecture, does the rule of thirds still apply? Do I center the subject or not? Michael's video was not third, was it?

Comments

kellopes
9:04 pm Tuesday
Sep 27, 2011

Wow. Thank you Michael. That was a good answer. I appreciate your help.

michael
12:01 pm Tuesday
Sep 27, 2011

Positioning the speaker is an editorial decision which gives a different 'feel' to your video. If the video is going to be online, rather than on television, we want the speaker center of screen looking directly at the viewer. We want the speaker to make eye contact with the viewer because online is a true one-to-one experience and tends to be more intimate than TV. The speaker should thus be talking directly 'to' the viewer. Shoot as though the viewer were on the other end of a one one one conversation. For TV, you can go a bit wider. The camera should be positioned as though the speaker were talking to a small room full of people - say a living room. The 'feel' of the shoot should match the 'feel' of the moment of reception. That is, reception = perception. Do you see what I mean? 1 :

kellopes
8:19 am Friday
Sep 23, 2011

Thanks for answering Michael. But this is not exactly my point. I want to know if when I am shooting 1 person talking straight to the camera, like in a video class or a simple message to the viewer, do I position that person on the side of the screen on one of the thirds or do I position the talent in the center of the screen? Sorry if I didn't sound clear. Hope it is clear now.

michael
10:27 am Thursday
Sep 22, 2011

The rule of thirds is a pretty good rule for making the subject dominate the screen but still be 'agreeable' to the viewer - ie, non-threatening. The rule of thirds has been around since DaVinci invented it, so who am I to disagree? So, yes, there may be exceptions when you want to use camera angle to make a point - ie, if you shoot from above you 'belittle' the subject, if you tilt up, you convey the sense that they are powerful (ie, you are looking up) and so on..