How to Use the Rule of Thirds in Photo Composition

My wife has never liked horror movies. She developed a coping mechanism by looking at the lower left-hand corner of the movie screen during the scary parts. This is actually a practical application of the Rule of Thirds. Her theory worked for years until Ridley Scott decided to not apply the rule in at least two scenes in “Alien." The key to using the Rule of Thirds in photographic composition is to know when and when not to apply it. The basic principle behind the Rule of Thirds is to break the image into three rows horizontally and three rows vertically while composing the image. The theory is: to make an image interesting visually, it needs to have subject matter in the center square or near the intersections of the center square. This article will try to help you understand the basics of photo composition using the Rule of Thirds

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Camera
• Patience
• Time to Practice

1. 
   The Rule of Thirds Grid

   The rule of thirds has its origins in classic Greek philosophy. They discovered that things appear more pleasing visually when presented in certain ways. Applied to photography, the top horizontal line is called the “eye line” and the lower horizontal line is called the “horizon line.” In a portrait photograph the eyes of the subject would be on the eye line and in a landscape the horizon would be on the horizon line. The rule also suggests that picture elements should be at the intersection points of the center square. Of course, there is a whole school of photography that believes that a subject should never be in the dead center square. In my opinion, the whole principle of the rule of thirds should be to get the photographer to ask one key question: “What am I taking a picture of?” Ask this question first and then compose your picture considering the Rule of Thirds. It is a rule, not a law.

2. 
   Is this a good composition?

   How does this image look to you? At first blush it seems like a good composition. The exposure is good and the colors are right. However, what is it a picture of? Is it a picture of the sky, the log or the mountain? It just isn’t too clear, is it?

3. 
   Applying the Rule

   Now let’s apply the Rule of Thirds. Is anything in the center quadrant? Is any subject content around the power intersection points? Is the horizon on the horizon line? The answer is no; this is not a very well-composed picture. There is not dynamic tension and the picture does not tell a story. Just because a picture is well exposed and has subject elements doesn’t make it a well-composed image.

4. 
   A Good Composition

   Points of interest in the photo don't have to actually touch one of these lines to take advantage of the Rule of Thirds. The eye tends to travel to the lightest point in the center and then to the darkest point at one of the intersection points. This movement of the eye is called eye flow and all artists and photographers want to control the way you view the image so that you can see what they see. This image is a well-composed image that controls the movement of your eye through the viewing of the image. You tend to first look at the highlight in the row boat in the lower middle quadrant of the picture and then your eye flows up to the little building in the center of the small harbor. The composition and eye flow make it almost impossible to look at it any other way

5. 
   Which is best?

   Which of these pictures is the best composition? They all conform to the rule of thirds, but most people would choose Image Number 3. The reason is that you can see the whole deer and there is eye contact with the camera. The Rule of Thirds is only one element of good photo composition. You also need good exposure, good color balance, sharp focus and good eye flow through the image. The Rule of Thirds is a starting point for good image composition, but it is not the only element of composition.

6. 
   Use the whole frame.

   You have nine quadrants in a single image frame so you might as well fill the frame with content. In this image you cannot miss the content. No matter where you look or how your eye is guided you will see the image of a horse and rider slightly blurred by the speed of the action. It is almost impossible to miss the intent or feeling of this image. The center five quadrants are filled with the image you are intended to see. Remember, this is one rule that is made to be broken. Always ask yourself first: “What am I taking a picture of?” before you even look into the viewfinder. Then look in to the viewfinder and mentally divide it into nine quadrants before you expose your image. This simple practice will make you a better photographer.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t center and shoot all of your pictures; apply the rule of thirds when composing an image.
• The Rule of Thirds is just a guideline, and after shooting a lot of pictures it will come naturally.
• Always ask yourself: "What is this a picture of?" Even if you are composing a portrait, you want to tell a story.

[SeemissesG]

on 8/15/2009 A very informative and detailed article. I understand the rule of thirds that much better. Thank you!

[zacojam]

on 8/11/2009 Great article for people just getting interested in photography. You described it all very well.

[richard68]

on 8/11/2009 very good instrutions , still taking a lot of pictures is key, i found taking several picture of the subject then deleting not so good .enjoy reading how to instruction

[hollywin]

on 8/11/2009 Love the photo examples. Great job. 5*

[Alphal]

on 10/2/2008 This was originally explained to me by a photographer friend from Singapore, but your article really helps fill in the blanks. Thanks