Using the Rule of Thirds when composing your photographs is an easy way to get better results.

Introduction

The Rule of Thirds has emerged as an important component in basic photographic composition. Awareness and use of the Rule of Thirds can help you create more dynamic pictures.

When a viewer first looks at a picture, the eye usually moves immediately to the centre of the photograph, following a natural instinct to find the main subject.

Once the subject is identified, the viewer often loses interest. This is the main reason experienced photographers seldom place the subject in the middle of the picture.

By centering the sun and positioning the horizon in the middle of the photograph, this picture become less interesting than it has the potential to be.

Dawn (Boulter, Ontario)

The Rule of Thirds divides a rectangular picture into three equal horizontal sections.

In this picture, the center of the picture is empty and the focus of the picture – the sun – is in the upper third of the photograph, offset to the right. When the eye doesn’t find what it seeks in the middle of the frame it is forced to explore the picture further, and interest is maintained for a longer amount of time.

This is but one illustration of why it’s best not to place the main subject in the middle of your picture.

Dawn (Boulter, Ontario)

Using the Rule of Thirds you can also divide a rectangular picture into three vertical sections.

The trees in the background divide this image into three equal vertical sections with the flowers in the foreground occupying two of the three sections. Again, this photograph shows how the Rule of Thirds is an effective way of uniting different elements in a picture and creating a more attractive arrangement.

Rhododendrons (Oregon, US)

Conclusion

Recognizing the Rule of Thirds as a basic compositional element in photography is an important step. If you don’t always place your subject in the middle of the picture, you will take more interesting pictures. We will talk more about optimal subject placement in the “Points of Power” section.