Rule of Thirds

If you are taking photographs for your own pleasure, as I assume you are, then you only have to come up with pictures that please you. You may be able to overlook the huge empty spaces or people with their heads cut off but no-one else will. That cute kid looks really cute it’s just a pity that you need a magnifying glass to see him. Producing pictures that are pleasing to someone other than yourself will make your photography much more rewarding.

One of the most popular "rules" in photography is the Rule Of Thirds. The Rule envisions two horizontal and two vertical lines trisecting an image with four intersecting points. You place your main subject where the lines intersect rather than centered in the frame. For example, placing the horizon on an upper or lower line helps create a well-composed landscape photo. For portraits, placing person where lines intersect vertically produces a more compelling photo.

A Rule of Thirds grid is built into some digital cameras. It can be turned on and viewed on the LCD. Use it as as a guide when taking a photos. If you don’t achieve this layout just right with a camera, apply the principle when cropping an image.

Using the Rule of Thirds helps produce nicely balanced easy on the eye pictures. Also, as you have to position things relative to the edges of the frame it helps get rid of tiny subject surrounded by vast empty space syndrome.

One last thing about the Rule of Thirds. Once you have got the hang of the Rule of Thirds you will very quickly want to break it! This is fine. As I said earlier these "rules" are best used as guidelines and if you can create a better image by bending or ignoring rules then fire away.