The rule of thirds in photography and when it matters.
You’ve likely heard the phrase “the rule of thirds” before. The term refers not just to photography, but to other visual art forms, like painting or design, as well.
What is the rule of thirds in photography exactly?
By definition, the rule of thirds is a basic technique for photographic composition. When you’re figuring out the composition of a photograph using this rule, you divide the image into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. The resulting grid of nine squares is used to determine where your subject should be placed.
By placing your subject on either one of the four intersections or along one of the four lines, you create an image that is more visually appealing, natural, and balanced.
How the rule of thirds in photography was created.
The rule of thirds was first cited by an eighteenth-century artist named John Thomas Smith. In his book, Remarks on Rural Scenery, written in 1797, he talks about a work of art by Rembrandt called The Cradle, and points out how “two-thirds of the picture are in shadow” and “unequal parts and gradations lead the attention easily from part to part, while parts of equal appearance hold it awkwardly suspended as if unable to determine which of those parts is to be considered as the subordinate.”¹
He explains further, “Analogous to this ‘Rule of Thirds’ (if I may be allowed to so call it) I have presumed to think that, in connecting or in breaking the various lines of a picture, it would likewise be a good rule to do it, in general, by a similar scheme of proportion….”
If you’re an experienced photographer, the rule of thirds is probably one of the first things you learned regarding composition of a photo. If you’re just starting out, have no fear. This rule is one of the easiest to learn and use. Most digital cameras arrive with a grid in the viewfinder or on the LCD preview screen on the back, but if your camera doesn’t have one, you can just imagine a tic-tac-toe grid. You can also use the rule of thirds in postproduction by cropping and placing your subject accordingly.
When to use the rule of thirds.
Always centering your subject can sometimes feel a bit generic. If you want to give your photos a more professional look, try using the rule of thirds. For example, if you’re shooting a landscape, it may be tempting to place the horizon in the center; for a more natural look try placing it along the lower horizontal line of your visual grid.
For shots of animals or people, try to place them off-center along one of the vertical lines, rather than centering them like a school portrait. If your subject is in motion, remember to leave more space in the direction they’re going. The more you practice using the rule of thirds, the more second nature it will become. Also, there’s no need to line up your subjects exactly on the lines or intersections; use the grid as a guide.
When to break the rule.
Sometimes rules need to be broken. Think of the rule of thirds as a guideline, not something permanently set in stone. More often than not, you’ll have a more aesthetically pleasing photo when you use the rule, but it’s okay to break it.
If you feel your subject would benefit from being centered, go for it! If you want your subject to exist in only a quarter of the frame, give it a shot. Understanding the rule will also help you to know when you don’t need to apply it.
Using the rule of thirds can make your photos more visually appealing and help fine-tune your skills as a photographer. Start experimenting with it while shooting photos, or try applying this rule while editing — especially photos where you didn’t use it in the original shot.
See if you can take a dud and turn it into a diamond. Tell us about it in the comments below or on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. And, most importantly, have fun!
[1] John Thomas Smith, Remarks on Rural Scenery: With Twenty Etchings of Cottages, from Nature , (Charleston: BiblioBazaar, 2010), https://books.google.com/books/about/Remarks_on_Rural_Scenery.html?id=E0LVYgEACAAJ.
