You may have heard the term “Rule of Thirds” before. Maybe in an art class you took in high school or an article in a photography magazine. But, do you know what it is and how it can improve your photography? If you answered “No”, then here is a brief and simple explanation.
What is the Rule of Thirds?
The rule of thirds is basically a visual guide used to create a more visually interesting and balanced composition. Imagine a tic-tac-toe grid superimposed onto an image. This grid divides the image into equal thirds. There are two main features of the grid; the horizon lines and the points of interest.
The Horizon Lines
The rule of thirds states that the horizon of your photograph should be placed along one of the two horizontal lines. For example, when shooting landscapes you have to decide which part of the scene you would like to see more of. If you want less sky, then place your horizon along the top line. Conversely, if you want more sky, then place the horizon along the bottom line. The decision you make should be based on where your subject is. For instance, if your subject is a set of rocks on the beach, then you should place your horizon on the top line. This way the set of rocks are dominant and you can see the area surrounding them.
Putting the horizon in the middle may seem like the right thing to do, giving both sky and land or sea equal parts. But by choosing to give one more importance over the other, a few things will now happen to your photograph. First, it will have a stronger impact by telling the viewer where to focus. Second, your subject will be more dominant. And third, there will be a better flow to your story. Even more so if you incorporate the second feature of the rule, points of interest.
The Points of Interest
The rule of thirds states that the subject or point of interest should be placed on one of the four points where the horizontal and vertical lines intersect. According to studies, the eye is always naturally drawn to those points, and that’s why it’s best to place your subject there.
Take a look at some of these examples where the rule of thirds is used. Some photographs were taken using both features of the rule (horizon and points of interest), and some just demonstrate one.
Use your Camera’s Rule of Thirds Grid Display
For beginners and even pros, it’s helpful when composing a shot to have the rule of thirds grid enabled on the back lcd. DSLRs made in the last decade will have this option. Even the iPhone can show it. If you don’t know how to turn it on, just refer to your camera’s manual. I recommend to frame your shot correctly in camera. But, keep in mind that all popular post processing applications have tools to help you crop and reframe your shot to fit within the rule.
So now that you know what the rule of thirds is and how to use it, it’s time to try it out. First let me say, there are other techniques for composing a shot, so it’s not always necessary to use the rule of thirds. Use the rule as a stepping stone. Combine it with other techniques to compose your shot. In time, you can start breaking the rule of thirds. Before attempting to break the rule, learn to master it first.
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Related
FAQs
The rule of thirds states that the horizon of your photograph should be placed along one of the two horizontal lines. For example, when shooting landscapes you have to decide which part of the scene you would like to see more of. If you want less sky, then place your horizon along the top line.
How can I improve my photo with the rule of thirds? ›
If you're thinking of a landscape picture, those horizontal thirds are key— instead of putting the horizon across the middle of the frame, place it either on the upper third, if you want to emphasize the foreground, or lower third to include more sky. You'll immediately feel that the image is more balanced than before.
What are the benefits of the rule of thirds in photography? ›
What is the purpose of the rule of thirds? The rule of thirds helps direct the viewer's gaze to the main focal point of an image, whatever the subject may be. It makes the most of empty space by drawing your eye to a specific part of the image, emphasised through composition.
What is the golden rule of landscape photography? ›
The rule of thirds is quite commonly used when considering where to place the horizon line of an image. Rather than having the horizon on the middle of your photos, composing with the sky along the top or bottom horizontal line quite often creates a much more aesthetically pleasing and balanced image.
What is an example of the rule of thirds in photography? ›
The photograph is divided into three unequal parts: the waterfall (the main subject), the pool (foreground), and the sky (background). The waterfall is well aligned with the vertical grid line on the left and flows into the frame towards the bottom right. This helps draw the viewer's attention to one part at a time.
What is the golden rule of thirds in photography? ›
The rule of thirds is quite a simple rule. Divide the image in nine equal parts, by drawing two horizontal and two vertical lines at thirds from the edges. Place your subject on one of the lines or at the intersection of the lines, and you're done.
What is the rule of thirds in landscape photography? ›
The rule of thirds states that the horizon of your photograph should be placed along one of the two horizontal lines. For example, when shooting landscapes you have to decide which part of the scene you would like to see more of. If you want less sky, then place your horizon along the top line.
When not to use the rule of thirds? ›
Some examples of times when the rule of thirds isn't the best fit for your work include symmetrical images, etc. Also, sometimes your subject is simply too big to fit correctly into the grid.
What is the #1 rule of photography? ›
The rule of thirds refers to dividing your image into three horizontal sections and three vertical sections. You should have two lines running top to bottom, and two lines running left to right.
How does the rule of thirds impact? ›
Balance and Visual Flow: The Rule of Thirds is also employed to create visual balance and a natural flow within the image. By placing key elements along the imaginary lines, a sense of movement and direction is achieved. This guides the viewer's eye through the image in a harmonious and appealing way.
The four pillars of landscape photography are essential for capturing stunning images. They include Location, which defines the setting; Composition, governing the arrangement of elements; Light, crucial for mood and texture; and Processing, for enhancing the final image.
What is the rule of three in landscape design? ›
Three plants creates balance
If you have enough space, group them in an equilateral triangle. This looks particularly good with mounding or vertical plants. Be sure to leave some space between the plants, especially if they are three different kinds.
What is the rule of odds in landscape photography? ›
The "rule of odds" in photography suggests that an odd number of subjects in a composition, such as three or five, tends to be visually appealing and creates balance. This rule is thought to be more engaging than an even number of subjects, as it avoids a sense of symmetry.
Why would a photographer use rule of thirds? ›
The rule of thirds is a composition guideline that places your subject in the left or right third of an image, leaving the other two thirds more open. While there are other forms of composition, the rule of thirds generally leads to compelling and well-composed shots.
Which photographers use rule of thirds? ›
Rule of Thirds?
- Ansel Adams. Rule of thirds, rule of thirds - it's all we hear from photography magazines, camera clubs and composition guides. ...
- Philip Hyde. ...
- Michael Kenna. ...
- David Muench.
The rule of thirds means that the subject isn't centered; rather, the main focal point can be to one side or at the top or bottom of the image. It's a tool to help artists draw the viewer's eye into the composition, rather than just glancing at the center.
How does rule of thirds affect the quality of a picture? ›
The rule of thirds is a composition guideline that places your subject in the left or right third of an image, leaving the other two thirds more open. While there are other forms of composition, the rule of thirds generally leads to compelling and well-composed shots.
Is there a way to improve the resolution of a photo? ›
The best way to get high-resolution images is by using the right camera for the job. But when that's not an option — or you're looking to improve older digital photos — Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom can help. Experiment with Super Resolution and resampling to see how far you can push your image quality.
How can I improve the focus of a picture? ›
Let's see how.
- Select the point of focus YOURSELF. The first thing to do to get sharp images is to take control of where the focus will fall in your image. ...
- Choose your AF mode wisely. ...
- Shutter speed matters. ...
- Use back button focusing. ...
- Understand the limits of your depth of field. ...
- The quality of your lens matters too.
The rule of thirds is applied by aligning a subject with the guide lines and their intersection points, placing the horizon on the top or bottom line, or allowing linear features in the image to flow from section to section.
