centered

I almost never place a subject in the center of the frame. When I asked her to lay the baby in the middle of the blanket, it was because I was intending for her and her husband to crawl down beside him. Then I looked down to see the baby, so content and small against the large expanse of white. It seemed almost awkward for him not to be kicking or fussing, which matched the also awkward cropping. After looking again, I realized it wasn't awkward at all. For this new family, he was indeed the center: of their attention, their thoughts, their love...right where he belonged.

Do you have any images which might be technically off, but still somehow work for you? If so, we'd love to see.

Also, in celebration of all the little centers of our attention in our lives, I want to let you know about my friend Katy who is doing a huge give-away on her blog right now. Some of the main ways you can enter involve taking photos of your little ones. So it might be right up your alley, plus a chance to win a $1000 gift certificate to Southwest, or a $2000 shopping spree.

Good luck and have fun! :)

Comments

[Melanie]

Since my son was the resident early bird while on vacation with my family, I would take him out to play on the beach every morning in his pajamas before everyone else woke up. I took this photo the very first morning--one moment he was sitting quietly beside me, then he took off!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51768504@N05/4795745731/

[Paula P.]

The baby looks soooo cute....

[cigi]

Such sweet images. What a beautiful story they tell.

http://instamaticgratification.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/121365/

[Christian @ Modobject at Home]

I kept thinking, "I shouldn't center this, I shouldn't center this", but it worked and seemed to want to be right in the middle:

http://www.modobjectathome.com/2010/07/in-which-i-reflect-with-gratitude.html

[deea]

My photos never really fit into the "technically on" category, I don't think. I've never had training, so I don't actually know whether they are or not. I just shoot what I like. Here's one of my faves. Not processed, not off center, not even interesting probably to anyone but me. This is a normal morning for my youngest girl...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/deepdish/279027151/in/set-72157600028390953/

[Bettina]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bettina2/4713527802/

Not sure if this works or not :) A little off centered center ;)

[Stephanie]

As I was framing it I thought "I shouldn't center this." And then I thought, "but it's so pretty it deserves to be the center of attention!" I think it worked out okay. :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniecourt/4747807800/in/set-72157624263783035/

[soupatraveler]

technically, there's not a lot going for this photo. low light, motion blur, centered with no purpose...but i'm glad i got it! and it makes me smile every time i look at it. my nephew, sporting the top of his halloween costume. i hope it brings a smile to your face too, : ) enjoy

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46922592@N00/4343848726/

[50centlove]

my niece was laying in my lap and I was trying to balance her and hold the camera at the same time. I really like how this pic turned out. http://www.flickr.com/photos/choirdir/4775499841/

[Tiffany in Topeka]

This was a "never put the horizon in the middle of the picture" rule breaker. The mirror image of the sunset in the water of the lake was too perfect.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51181755@N02/4797478102/

[Kat]

I didn't really think about it when I was taking the photo, but later I wondered why this one worked so well when I "broke the rule" about putting the subject in the center!

http://www.kateyeview.com/2010/04/symmetry.html

[Jennifer]

I took this at a wedding I helped shoot in Dec. I almost never remember the rule of 3rds when at a wedding haa haa,and this one was no exception. It is VERY centered, but love it anyway and since the theme was pretty unique and the lighting was gorgeous, I snapped away (notice that the photo is straight but the poor cake was a little lopsided!)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2728/4259123088_2dc1fbf4d1_o.jpg

[lucy]

love that beautiful photo of the baby.

straight on:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucyloomis/4684208360/

[casie b.]

I instantly thought of this image...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaooavdpa/4800940644/

it's blurry, but I couldn't let it go.