The Rule of Thirds
The Basic Rule of Photographic Composition

The rule of thirds is one of the most basic concepts of photographic composition. If you take any beginner's photography class this rule will be explained eventually. It is quite simple and once you understand it, you'll find yourself doing it without even thinking.

The idea is to break your photo up into thirds both from top to bottom and across. It's like drawing a tic tac toe game on a scene before you take the photo. Imagine this grid on your photographs breaking them up into nine equal boxes, like in the picture on the right.

Placing the subject of your photo in the cross sections of the lines on this grid gives the picture more visual tension. You can chose to place your subject at any of the four cross sections depending on the look you want to give the photo.

There are a few general photographic composition rules to follw.

Line your horizon up with the top or bottom line. Never have it running through the center of the picture.

Verticle and horizonal lines in your pictures should be off center.

Placing objects so they generally fall on these lines will help you improve your photographic composition. Eventually this will come naturally. You won't even have to consciously imagine the grid in your mind.

Like I always say don't be too bond by rules. Don't get so caught up in this rule that you lose some of your creativity. Break the rules if you have to. I believe that trying new things will make you a better photographer. Click here to return to Beginner's Photography.