What is the Rule of Thirds in Photography?
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You can use the Rule of Thirds to instantly create better images… if you use it properly.
In this video, I’ll explain the Rule of Thirds in photography and provide a pro tip to make using this photo composition technique Super-Duper easy.
What is the Rule of Thirds in photography?
Well, it’s a composition technique built around a grid with three separate guidelines that help you place your subject or other elements within your photo.
According to the rule, using one or more guideline placements creates a better photo.
The first guideline uses vertical lines, and you’ll place your primary subject along the left or right sides.
The second option is the horizontal lines.
When shooting landscapes, you’ll place the horizon along the top or bottom lines, depending on which part of the scene you want to emphasize.
Placing the eyes along or near the top line is best if you're shooting portraits.
The third guideline suggests placing a subject at a point of intersection based on where the lines cross.
Bonus
Now I have some bad news and some good news.
The bad news is, when you look through your viewfinder, it will be difficult to place your subjects and/or horizons along one of the four main points or vertical or horizontal lines since that information isn’t displayed in the viewfinder.
The good news is that most digital cameras have a built-in Rule of Thirds grid overlay that makes using the Rule of Thirds super-duper easy.
To set it up, check your camera manual or do a Google search for your camera’s make and model.
Before you do that, though, there’s one more problem we have to resolve.
Many photographers say the Rule of Thirds is overused, and although there is some truth to that, I still use it after 35 years in photography.
That being said, there are some better composition techniques besides the Rule of Thirds, which you can learn about inside this composition playlist.
