The Basics: Rule Of Thirds

Turning everyday snapshots to great pictures!

The Rule of Thirds is one of the most basic compositional rules that is used in every visual art form (Photography, Advertising, Design, Painting etc.)

It's actually is often overlooked by amateur photographers who don't realize that by applying this rule, the simplest of shots can be rendered extremely visually appealing and artsy!

The basic principle behind the rule of thirds is to imagine breaking an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so that you have 9 parts. (See the picture)

As you’re taking an image you do this in your mind through your viewfinder or in the LCD display that you use to frame your shot.

With this grid in mind the ‘rule of thirds’ now identifies four important parts of the image that you should consider placing points of interest in as you frame your image.

Moreover, it also gives you four ‘lines’ that are useful positions for the key elements of your photo.

The theory behind this is that if you place points of interest on the intersections or along the lines, your photo becomes more balanced and will enable a viewer of the image to interact with it more naturally. Scientific studies have shown that when viewing images that people’s eyes usually go to one of the intersection points most naturally rather than the center of the shot - hence the rule of thirds works with this natural way of viewing an image rather than working against it!

Below, are a few more pictures. See if you can identify the Rule of Thirds in action in each of them!

Now, some of you may point out the fourth image (the water drop). Right! The drop is in the dead center of the image, hence transgressing the rule. But that's how it is with certain subjects! Each angle/composition gives a different view of the scene, so sometimes it's good to follow what "looks" appropriate.

After all, rules are meant to be broken! So don't always stick to this rule, because as with everything in art : There are no rules!

Just Remember: If it looks good to you, it'll look good to a lot of other people!