In a previous post, Ken made a comment about the photo that accompanied the post. He said:
I’ve also found reading good photography related blogs (such as this) to be just as interesting.
I really like this shot, too. Perfect example of the rule of thirds.
~Ken Bello
Having thought nothing of it when I composed the photo nor when I posted it, I had to look at it and remark to myself: He’s absolutely right! That’s pretty much text book rule of thirds. Interesting. I wonder how much I do that without even thinking. Hmmmm.
I have some stuff in my collection where I might divide the horizon by 90/10 or perhaps 10/90, depending on what I’m trying to highlight. I might even go a bit more extreme if I am shooting dramatic clouds. I don’t religiously adhere to it, but in looking back among my photos, I see that I most certainly am no stranger to it. 
Yesterday, as Hobbs sat, once again, in the sunlight, I framed up this photo with my iPhone. I have cropped it from its original format of 4:3 to 1:1; however, when I framed it, I put him smack in the middle because that is what felt right. The square cropping came after the fact, but being right in the middle felt right for this one. Also, I rather ignored all the advice to watch out for shadows and highlights. I like the starkness of the photo.
I’m such a rebel!
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Is this Hobbs’ I’m mad look?
If it is, that’s as mad as he gets, Steve.
It’s more probably a look of: You’re going to take ANOTHER picture of me. Oh boy!
The “Rule of Thirds” is not really a rule, it’s more or less a guideline. I almost never adhere to it but it has some validity. Rules are meant to be broken.
Yes, you are a rebel and that’s another reason I show up on this blog.
It would be interesting to see how I compose my favorite images.
You should have a look sometimes. I think that I already know from visiting your blog, but I’ll let you decide.
The Rule of Thirds is a great rule, except when it’s not….
I tend to think of composition in terms of balance, what looks or feels right. Often the result is that the subject is oriented toward a “power point” or complying with some other rule, but it’s because it’s right, not because it’s the rule. It’s good to keep the “rules” in mind – like avoiding the dreaded horizon in the center – but sometimes the right composition is one that does in fact break the rules.
This photo works because even though Hobbs is in the center, he is balanced by the beam of light that just happens to run across the bottom third.
Well, I couldn’t move the light!