According to photography, a proper photo uses the rule of thirds. Thus, the image is divided into three/nine blocks, and the object of focus falls on either of the cross-lines. You should also be careful when capturing a moving object, that it moves into the frame more than leaving the frame.
I disagree on proper use of the rule of thirds. The head is almost centered, not even close to a 1/3 line. I would have centered it, or zoomed in much closer and used the rule of thirds for the head.
The head (if you include the antlers) is centered on the cross line that would be the top right of the center square. It's damn near dead center on what that cross mark would be. If you were taking a fucking mugshot of someone, sure, go dead center of the center on the center of their face.
Notice how even flattering mugshots look like shit?
This is a really well balanced picture. 9/10.... -1 because that partial grass line runs right across the legs in an imaginary slanted line and it's slightly jarring... but that's not so much as it's on the photographer as so much an unavoidable and strange coincidence.
Sometimes dead center, especially with a subject in a decentered pose like this deer, works perfectly well. Close-up portraits work perfectly with the head centered, so the eyes are on 1/3 lines. When you have vanishing lines, dead center (or edge of frame) works perfectly. Mugshots are not fucking portraits. I've been doing photograpy for over a decade FYI. The rule of thirds is wayyyy overstated. IMO.
Notice how even flattering mugshots look like shit?
This is a really well balanced picture. 9/10.... -1 because that partial grass line runs right across the legs in an imaginary slanted line and it's slightly jarring... but that's not so much as it's on the photographer as so much an unavoidable and strange coincidence.