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Photography and the rule of thirds

18 Feb 2014

The best guideline you can think about when composing photographs is called the rule of thirds.

 

The rule of thirds dictates that the image is divided into nine equal parts by two vertical and two horizontal lines.

When taking a photograph, the important elements should be in line with the dividing lines.

Experts say that by doing this, the photograph conjures more tension, energy and draws the viewer in more than just placing the subject in the centre does.

How to

As one of the first principals photograph students learn when they start a class, the rule of thirds is considered the most important aspect of taking a photo.

As you are lining up the image, imagine in your mind nine squares. The grid will identify the points in the photograph that will dictate where the important elements must go.

The theory is that if you put the important subject or element at one of the intersections, people will interact with the image better and more naturally. People’s eyes generally do not go to the centre of an image.

This also applies to the other smaller elements of the image. If your subject is wearing certain types of clothing, such as a tie, line that up with one of the imaginary lines as well.

When lining up a shot, always ask yourself three questions.

  1. What is the key subject I was to portray?
  2. What are the secondary subjects I want viewers to see?
  3. Where should I intentionally place these subjects?

When taking landscape shots, a good tip is to line the horizon up with one of the horizontal lines. It’s never really appealing to look at an image of the sky, or one that is mostly made up of sky.

It’s ok to break the rules

Remember, it’s ok to break the rules sometimes. The rule of thirds can be quite rigid at times and occasionally there’s no way to actually implement it. Other times, you may just not want to.
Some of the most fabulous images are those taken by chance, without any thought to composition or light – just a snap.

One time that it’s ok to break the rule is if you want to highlight your subject’s symmetry. When taking a photo of a table, for example, or a room, sometimes it provides more of an impact if you line it up exactly in centre. Another time people tend to break the rule of thirds is when they wish to create a more confronting effect. If the subject is staring down the barrel of the camera, it evokes a sense of confrontation and resistance, rather than the friendly nature a sideways glance has.