This is one of the most commonly heard and easiest techniques of composition. Yes, techniques! It might be called a rule, but it is only a guideline for better positioning the subjects on your images. It is useful in many instances but nevertheless don’t be afraid to break it!

How it works

This technique is the simplified version of the golden cut rule.

Instead of placing your subject in the centre of the image (like most novices do), place the subject about one third from the bottom, top or sides of the image.

Remember, you always want to take the eye through the image, and when the subject is placed in the centre of the image, eyes don’t know which half to look at!

Which one of the two do you prefer? Close call? I know, I couldn’t help but edit both images, so the eye travels to the centre of attention in both cases (because of the different “rule”). Oops. O:-)

In practice

Imagine the scene being divided into three horizontal and three vertical sections, using two horizontal and two vertical imaginary lines.

You get a 3 x 3 gird.

Position the most important subject where the lines intersect or on one of the lines on the grid itself (positioning doesn’t need to be completely exact).

That’s it!

Where you are going to place the subject depends how you want it portrayed. Don’t be afraid to experiment and see which composition you prefer (for that particular image).

Usually the horizon is positioned on the horizontal lines, while people, trees, buildings are positioned on vertical lines. The intersections are the focal points where you would position the subject or the subject’s eyes.

Some compact and all the DSLR cameras have a grid in the viewfinder (usually not turned on by default), which is there as a reference when composing images.

Photo examples

Note that the butterfly is looking into the picture. If it was placed on the upper left intersect, the image would not look good.

Placing the horizon

Horizon is rarely placed in the middle of the image. It is a perfect example when using the rule of thirds is better.

You can place the horizon:

• on the upper third: emphasizing the sky
• on the lower third: emphasizing the land, foreground, distance

When you cannot decide what is more important, the sky or the foreground, you can always take two different pictures.

On the above picture you can also see the division between the foreground, midground and background being separated by the horizontal lines.

When you are capturing the sunset, you usually want to emphasize the sky, but that is not always the rule as seen below.

If your camera has the ability to display a grid, you can turn it on to help position the horizon straight.

Implying movement

Whenever a subject is placed on the side, facing into the picture, it implies movement – it is moving toward the centre of the picture. It is also best to use the horizontal orientation of the picture when applying this.

What is the subject looking at? Always give it a little bit of white space in the direction of movement where they could move (where the head is looking).

Breaking the rule of thirds

You have a scene with strong lines. Lines are much more powerful composition tool than the rule of thirds, so whenever you have strong lines, place the rule of thirds on the side.

Sometimes you do want to have the main subject in the centre of the image. For example when shooting reflections, symmetric compositions or a portrait who is looking straight at you.

Conclusion

Rule of Thirds is a great starting point when composing the image but keep in mind that it is only a guideline, a technique, and it might not be the best method to present your subject. There are more powerful composition techniques out there (lines being one of them), but don’t be afraid to sometimes break them altogether on purpose. By experimenting, you will sharpen your eye, improve your technique and develop your own style and take fantastic images.  That’s the point in the end, no?

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