How to break the Rule of Thirds... - Wild Eye (2024)

Photography tips & training

Tuesday April 25, 2023

Michael Appalsamy

Ask any photographer or have a look through any photography book, and I am sure that The rule of thirds will pop up at some point!

So what is The rule of thirds and how can we use it in our photography?

The rule of thirds is a guideline used in photography to create a balanced and visually pleasing composition. It suggests that the image should be divided into thirds horizontally and vertically, creating nine equal parts. The main subject of your image should then be placed at one of the four intersections where these lines cross such as the eye of an animal. This creates a sense of balance and can add interest to the photograph. It's not a strict rule, but rather a guideline that photographers use as a starting point for composing their shots, and can be broken if it creates a more interesting or dynamic image.

However, rules are there to be broken!

Some of the best advice that I was given when I was learning photography is that you should learn the rules, learn the theory and learn it all well! Once you have a good understanding of these rules, then you should start figuring out how to break them. That is how you stand out and create a unique photographic portfolio as a photographer.

While the rule of thirds guideline can be very effective in creating a visually pleasing composition, there may be times when you want to break the rule of thirds to create a more impactful or unique image.

Here are a few ways to break the rule of thirds in wildlife photography:

1. Centering the subject: Instead of placing the subject off to one side of the frame, center it in the middle of the image. This can create a sense of symmetry and balance, and can be particularly effective with symmetrical subjects such as animals with strong markings or patterns.

How to break the Rule of Thirds... - Wild Eye (1)

2.Placing the subject off-center: Instead of placing the subject at one of the intersections of the rule of thirds, place it slightly off-center. This can create a more dynamic composition and can be used to emphasize a particular aspect of the subject.

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3. Cropping the subject: By cropping the subject close to the edge of the frame, it creates a sense of tension and can draw the viewer's eye to the subject.

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4. Breaking the rule of thirds with negative space: By leaving a large area of negative space, you can create a sense of isolation or emphasis on the subject.

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5. Using diagonal lines: Instead of placing the subject on one of the horizontal or vertical lines of the rule of thirds, place it along a diagonal line. This can create a sense of movement and dynamism in the image.

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It's important to note that breaking the rule of thirds should be done thoughtfully and with purpose, and not just for the sake of breaking it. The most important thing is to create a composition that effectively conveys the story or emotion you want to express in your photograph.

At the end of the day the Rule of Thirds is a great tool for learning composition in photography and to keep in mind when looking through your viewfinder.

But… Do not get stuck on it.If the story you want to tell does not work with the Rule of Thirds - break the rule! Tell your story and rather shoot what feels right!

If you have anything to add or have any questions - feel free to leave a comment below!

Until next time.
Michael Appalsamy

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How to break the Rule of Thirds... - Wild Eye (2024)

FAQs

How do you break the rule of thirds? ›

Placing your subject or horizon in the centre of the image is the most obvious alternative to the Rule of Thirds, and works well for many subjects. A prominent horizontal line in the dead-centre of an image perfectly bisects it and gives equal weight to the two halves of the image.

How do you master rule of thirds? ›

The best way to master the rule of thirds is to experiment. Try shooting the same scene multiple times and frame the shot differently every time—first using the rule of thirds, then placing your subject in the center of the frame. You'll experience how the rule of thirds makes films more interesting to watch.

What is the rule of thirds eyes? ›

Position the centre of your subject's body on the left third if they are looking across the frame from left to right. Position their eyes on the top third. As you can see below, the lines draw your attention to the subject's eyes which helps us to make a connection with the person as they speak.

What is the rule of thirds for dummies? ›

What is the rule of thirds in photography? The rule of thirds in photography is a guideline that places the subject in the left or right third of an image, leaving the other two thirds more open. It divides a photo into nine equal parts, split by two equally spaced horizontal and vertical lines.

What is the 1 3 rule in life? ›

The rule of thirds is simple: when chasing a dream, things should feel good one third of the time, okay one third of the time, and crappy a third of the time. If everything feels too good, it means you're not challenging yourself enough.

What is the rule of thirds mindset? ›

This is how she describes the “Rule of Thirds” through her Olympic coach: “When you're chasing a dream or doing anything hard, you're meant to feel good a third of hte time, OK a third of the time, and crappy a third of a time. And if the ratio is roughly in that range, then you're doing fine.”

Does the rule of thirds actually matter? ›

The Rule of Thirds technique requires that photographers/videographers align their subject matter with the areas where these lines intersect. By doing so, a balanced image is naturally created, which enhances the viewers' initial interaction with the photo. For example, look at the two images below.

What is the best rule of thirds? ›

An object is best placed at 1/3 from the sides, preferably at 1/3 from the right because we see through the photo from left to right. People who read from right to left might prefer it on the other side. Horizon at 1/3 and the tree at 1/3. This is how the rule of thirds is used most of the time.

What is the math behind the rule of thirds? ›

Imagine dividing your image into nine equal parts with the help of two vertical and two horizontal lines. That's precisely what makes the rule of thirds. Using this grid, you must place your objects along the lines or at the points where they intersect.

How do you master the third eye? ›

How to Activate the Third Eye Chakra
  1. Meditate on your third eye chakra.
  2. Move intuitively with yoga.
  3. Try pranayama breathing.
  4. Practice mindfulness every day.
  5. Repeat daily affirmations to yourself.
  6. Start a dream journal.
  7. Spend time outside.
  8. Do something creative.

What is a strong third eye? ›

With an open third eye chakra, a person's imagination is very strong and detailed. They know what they want out of life and follow their strong intuition/gut feelings. When the sixth chakra is balanced and can experience a strong perception of surroundings.

Can I open third eye? ›

Safely opening your third eye involves gradual practice, starting with meditation, mindfulness, and ethical living. It's important to stay grounded and balanced through self-care and to seek guidance from experienced practitioners if needed.

What are 3 reasons to use the rule of thirds? ›

The rule of thirds is important because it creates a good balance between the elements in the frame. It helps you decide how much background and foreground are necessary for a visually appealing photograph. It also helps you manage the empty space, especially when your scene has plenty of it.

Can we break out from the rule of thirds? ›

Breaking the rule of thirds.

Pull back from your subject: “If your subject is going to be a really small part of the image,” photographer Derek Boyd suggests, “sometimes the best way to highlight them is to break the rule of thirds and put them almost dead center in the image.”

How do you break the rule of thirds in film? ›

Breaking the Rule of Thirds

Center framing can create tension and comedic relief, as well as help viewers make sense of characters' surroundings. No one does center framing better than Stanley Kubrick and Wes Anderson. But both filmmakers make use of the technique in completely different ways.

When not to use the rule of thirds? ›

Some examples of times when the rule of thirds isn't the best fit for your work include symmetrical images, etc. Also, sometimes your subject is simply too big to fit correctly into the grid.

Does the rule of thirds always work? ›

The rule of thirds fails when people start to use it as a guide to composition rather than a reminder that, sometimes, central composition doesn't work. There's no reason why this is the “rule of thirds” rather than the “rule of two sevenths” or the “rule of thirteen twenty-ninths” except that it's easier to remember.

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