In portraiture, rather than centering your subjects, imagine a tic-tac-toe board and place them where the imaginary lines intersect.
Kevin
Hug the Ocean
Going Fishing
“There is no better time to crop a bad composition than just before you press the shutter release.”
~ Bryan Peterson
Mahout
Discovering
“I work from awkwardness. By that I mean I don’t like to arrange things. If I stand in front of something, instead of arranging it, I arrange myself.”
~ Diane Arbus
Here Kitty
At Rest, Chiang Mai
Andrew
“For me, the camera is a sketch book, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity.”
~ Henri Cartier-Bresson
The Weekly Photo Challenge is “Rule of Thirds”.
Jane Lurie Photography 
All classy portraits.
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That’s very kind, Allan. Thank you. I love portraiture.
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I have always loved your ability to “catch” just the right look, the right face, the right expression! Love all of these
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That means a lot, Linda. Thank you very much!
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The serious look on the cat’s face is the best! What a portrait!
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Thanks, Atreyee, Quite the diva! Beautiful kitty and her “people” are the best.
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Beautiful concept
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Thanks, Jake. Happy you like it.
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Wow these are awesome. my fave is “going fishing” and “Andrew.” Nice eye.
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Hi Fac-n-fic- Thanks! Both were special moment. Glad you like them.
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Wow Jane. These portraits are all remarkable- expressive, powerful, beautiful and provocative. Works of art that capture the essence of the subject. Truly impressive.
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Thank you, Amy. You are very encouraging and I’m pleased that you like my portraits. Very nice!
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So many really great portraits! It might be true what they say (in acting) about children and animals stealing the show. I love the “Hug the Ocean” photo. I like the brief photo lesson on how to shoot portraits using the rule of thirds, and I love the quotes.
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Hi Robin- How nice that you enjoyed this series. I loved putting it together with some of my favorites and I’m happy that I managed to convey the idea of thirds as well. Thanks so much.
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Great series of shots, and love the Bryan Peterson quote…so much truth to that.
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Hi Dalo- Thanks so much. Bryan is a very entertaining presenter and is known to say “crop is crap”. 😀 Glad you liked this post.
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Do you know Bryan? It is funny, because way back when I read his book on exposure and I recommend it as one of the better books out there for people getting into photography ~ Enjoy the weekend 🙂
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Yes, I like his books and his work. Happy weekend, to you, too.
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I am not comfortable asking strangers if I can take a photo. I am more of a surreptitious street photographer. But the other day we were standing in line waiting for some attraction behind a very tall, ancient looking hippie with full gray beard and long sandy colored gray hair. A tourist who barely spoke English came up to him and said, “photograph?” and the hippy just beamed and nodded. What a great moment. Your first photo reminds me of that. And one of these days maybe I’ll get up the courage to do the same. I especially like “Discovering”.
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Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Emilio. I usually shoot people I know and agree, it takes nerve to walk up to strangers but you may have a great result. Happy you like the photos.
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I bet the guy in the 1st image is the nicest guy but just showing a tough exterior. I also really like the last image. I do have to say all are great photographs.
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You are so right, Mark. He’s a mellow, soft-spoken great guy. Really, The angle I chose is certainly imposing. Glad you like these-thanks!
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All wonderful portraits !
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Hi Jocelyne, Thanks so much. Since I usually shoot portraits in thirds, this was a good theme. Glad you like them.
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Great images Jane!!
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Thanks for your kind comments, Cynthia.
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Beautiful pictures, and I actually learned something about centering objects for a photo. Thanks.
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Thanks, Cecilia. I’m very happy that my examples helped shed some light and that you enjoyed the images. Happy shooting.
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Wonderful examples! I prefer to call it the ‘formula of thirds’ since I believe there are no ‘rules’ I art. I mostly use my sense of ‘what feels right’ for any given subject when composing.
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Completely agree, Denise. Thank you very much.
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Great portraits, love them 🙂
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Hi Ellen– Wanted to say thanks– not sure how I missed your nice comment. So…thanks! 😃
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Hi Jane , processing of cat photo is great, I liked it .
A Greeting
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Hi Pepe. I was struck by the lighting, angles and contrast of the cat and stairs. Thank you.
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Very effective. I read just a bit about the different “power areas” in pictures years ago, but as I look at these, not only does it place the subject in a visually power place, but also allows for the context of the subject to enter into the picture, fleshing out the image.
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Hi Cnawan- Yes, agree, the power areas will invite the viewer to explore the image as opposed to a static centering. Thanks again for your thoughtful comment.
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The Kitty is terrific! She is a 1940’s film star reborn. (Seriously–we’re talking Bette Davis attitude on this cat.)
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Patricia– You are a riot- I am sharing your comment with this kitty’s owner. She will love it. I did a shoot with both of her cats and they were wonderful divas. Thanks!
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What a beautiful series, Jane. I love the diversity of humanity here.
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Thank you very much, Karen. I do enjoy portraiture.
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these r just wonderful///loving andrew’s eyes….a really great eye!!!
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April, You may not realize, but that’s Marilyn’s grandson a few years ago. 😉 Thank you!
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Excellent portrait work.
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Thanks, David, for your kind response to these. Appreciate it.
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Lovely photos with subjects expertly composed within the frame!
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Thank you very much, Karen. So glad you like them.
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Some wonderful and well-captured memories here Jane. Loved the tats photo too – was he posing for you?
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Thanks so much, Tina. Oh, yes, of course he was posing and I made sure he showed off his incredible arms under his big beard.
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Wonderful photos and interpretation of the theme.
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Thank you, Maralee. I enjoy portraits.
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I’m thinking how each subject would love to have that photo of themselves. Beautiful, Jane!
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Hi Sharon, Thank you, Sharon. Happy you like these. Maybe one day a Nikon will spit out a photo out like a polaroid.😊
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These are great examples of the tic-tac-toe lines Jane. And Kevin’s arms alone take up a third all on their own. Well done my friend 🙂
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Thank you, Dan. I tried to post shots that illustrated it well. True about Kevin’s arms… they could be a subject all on their own. Glad you enjoyed.
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You have captured the personality in each of these portraits Jane
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Thanks you, Pauline. It is an exciting challenge to capture a person’s character. Glad you like this series.
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I really like your black and white images, especially the child on the stairs.
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Thank you very much, Charlie. I black and white works well for certain portraits. Glad you like these.
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Love the portraits of children… the look of wonder always captures the heart ❤
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Couldn’t agree more, Jane. I get such satisfaction capturing the essence of kids’ personalities. So glad you enjoyed these. Thank you!
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Great shot of the cat on the steps!
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Thanks so much, Andy. My friend’s beautiful kitty.
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Excellent. Loved each one of these.
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Thanks very much Petspeopleandlife. I appreciate your nice comment.
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LOVE these!!!!!!!!
Love, Helen
Sent from my iPhone
>
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Thanks so much, Helen. I could imagine one of your hand drawn works of any of these! xox
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Beautiful series !
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Thanks, Jaap. Happy you like this series.
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Great Job again! and portrait is a really difficult thing!
Your models are cool in front of you.. It’s an art!!!
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That is a nice observation, Dominique. I do hope that they are at ease. Thanks very much!
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An excellent collection!
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Thanks so much, Sue. I love shooting portraits. Glad you enjoyed.
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Chiang Mai, here kitty and Andrew were my favourites.
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All in their thirds. Thank you, Sue- much appreciated.
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Such expressive portraits.
janet
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Thank you, Janet. It’s such fun to catch the right moment. Glad you enjoyed this series.
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