Just How Many Rules ARE There?!

This time I'm only considering one rule - subject placement.  More specifically, where do you place your subject when they're not looking right at you?  The basic rule is to place them so there's more space where they're looking than there is behind them.  So, if they're looking off to the right, place them in the left portion of the image.  This also applies to shooting motion - if they're moving left-to-right, place them on the left portion, and vice-versa.

Ok, I lied - this is about the one situation where they're looking niether left or right and are in motion - right straight at you!

There's John!  He's got TREATS!!!

So, if they're coming straight at you, and looking right at you, place them in the center?  I find that placing them just off center makes the image more pleasing.

Use the force! Usetheforce Usetheforce TheforceUsing - wait....

To be even more specific, when the subject is leaning, the image felt better when I matched the offset to with their body lean.  In other words, if they were leaning right I placed them right of center...

Mumphmphmumph (translation: Mine MINE MINE!!!)

And if they were leaning to the left I placed them just left of center.  As a matter of fact, their side opposite the lean is pretty much lined up with the center.

You got another one for me??  Where's mine?! Where-where?!?!

Then there's the dilemma where one's coming right at you and the other is turning away.  I decided to give Journey someplace to go and add to Skittles' intensity by keeping the image off-balance.

I do feel the need to point out that Skittles loves to run.  She goes all out when she does, and can look quite intense as you can see in this series.  However, despite her rather fierce look, she's just a happy, excited dog.  Once she manages to apply the brakes and slow down that intense look is immediately gone.  She's quite fun to watch!

Don't know about you, but I like these images!

Hope you enjoy...