How to Take a Photo Using the Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds can be briefly described as a compositional rule that every photographer, amateur or professional, should consider when taking any type of photograph. This rule is used to make photos more interesting. The basic compositional rule utilizes the tendency for the human eye to be drawn toward the center of any subject of a photo--which is exactly what the Rule of Thirds does not do. With the Rule of Thirds, the photo is divided by two imaginary horizontal lines and two imaginary vertical lines, creating a tic-tac-toe grid. The main subject of your photo should never fall in the middle box or the center. By learning the Rule of Thirds, you'll be able to add more intensity and energy to your photos and enhance your photography skills.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Place film or the memory card and batteries into the camera.

2. Attach the lens and camera strap to the camera if using a digital camera.

3. Select the "Auto" option under your camera's menu, and turn on the camera.

4. Find a place, figure, object or subject to photograph. Make sure whatever you chose has a main subject. For example, don't pick a subject like plain grass unless the grass has a main subject on or around it.

5. Make sure the subject or figure that you chose corresponds with the lighting in that area. The flash is already on under the "Auto" option, so there should be no need to change the flash.

6. Position your camera directly so that the main aspect, the subject, of your photograph is directly in the middle of the frame. This step is done only so that you can see the difference between a subject in the center of the frame (which is where it should not be) and a subject that follows the Rule of Thirds. As you get used to the Rule of Thirds, this step may be eliminated.

7. After noting how the photograph would look without using the Rule of Thirds, position the camera so that your subject is neither in the center nor on the four intersections of the tic-tac-toe grid, thus using the Rule of Thirds. Remember that the tic-tac toe grid is not actually something that you see when looking in the viewfinder of your camera; it's an imaginary grid line with three columns and three rows, making nine square boxes. Your subject should never fall in the center, nor should it fall in the area where the lines intersect.

8. Repeat Step 6 several times until you feel confident about the composition of your element.

9. After focusing in on where your subject will be within the Rule of Thirds, check that the content--including the background and foreground--doesn't overtake the subject. This is done solely on your judgment and the product and message that you want to produce with your photo.

10. When you're satisfied with all of the above instructions, snap the picture.

Tips & Warnings

• These instructions work better with a digital camera. For further enjoyment--and to see how changing the position of your camera affects your subject within the Rule of Thirds--take a horizontal, vertical, close-up and extreme close-up of your subject and compare the photos. After doing so, you'll notice that the Rule of Thirds is applied to all ranges and forms of photography and no matter what, this rule can be used.