How to apply the rule of thirds in photography (2024)

FAQs

How to apply the rule of thirds in photography? ›

Mentally divide your image into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, and place your subject accordingly. That is, simply imagine that your image is divided into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, and then place your subject on one of the lines or at the intersection of those lines.

What is the 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.

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.

The rule of thirds is an effective way to frame the elements in your scene so that the resulting image is much more visually captivating. Like most other filmmaking “rules,” it's not really a rule at all — more of a golden guideline.

The Rule of Thirds is a fundamental concept in photographic composition. It involves dividing the frame into nine equal parts using two imaginary horizontal lines and two vertical lines, creating four intersecting points.

For example, a portrait photo would put one of the eyes on a crash point. This helps keep things a little off center and allows the viewer to take in the face in the photo, along with other background elements. The intersecting points on a Rule of Thirds grid are known as crash points.

It involves dividing an image into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, to create a grid of nine equal parts. According to the rule of thirds, the most important elements in an image — i.e. the main subject or focal point of the photo — should be placed along these lines or their intersections.

Our brains are geared toward pattern recognition. But we also don't want to overtask our memories with too many elements to keep track of. Hence, the rule of three: a principle that suggests that things arranged in threes are more satisfying, effective, and memorable than other numbers.

Photography Composition Rule #1: Use the Rule of Thirds

You should have two lines running top to bottom, and two lines running left to right. Take a look at where those lines intersect: you should place your main subject on one of those points.

The rule of thirds helps photographers ensure important compositional elements within a scene are positioned correctly. Photographers can use this technique to get a viewer to focus on an area that the photographer wants to focus on.

What is the rule of 3 example? ›

For example, the speech "Non-Violence and Racial Justice" contained a binary opposition made up of the rule of three: "insult, injustice and exploitation", followed a few lines later by "justice, good will, and brotherhood".

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.

The golden ratio grid, or the phi grid, cuts your frame into a series of 1:1.618 lines. While the rule of thirds divides your frame into three equal sections, the phi grid creates three irregular yet orderly sections.

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.

Under the Composition heading, make sure that the Grid toggle is enabled. On an Android device, the process will be very similar. First, launch the camera app and tap settings. Next, look for the grid lines option and make sure the grid lines option is toggled to the 'on' position.

The Rule of Thirds is another way to look at the layout of a design (be it a web page, a painting or a photograph). The idea is straightforward; you place a simple grid overlay (divided equally into thirds, both horizontally and vertically) on the space to be used for the design.

The Golden Triangle concept is a guideline for composing with scenes and subjects that have more of a diagonal shape. Placing the objects in the photographs along one of those lines or within one of the resulting triangles helps create a strong composition, even using objects that have a more diagonal shape to them.