How to Use the Rule of Thirds in Your Photography
A tiny shift can improve your composition
As a beginning photographer, you will read about many ‘rules.’ Some of these, such as a level horizon or not having a tree growing out of someone’s head, are rarely broken. Others, like the rule of thirds, are more compositional guidelines but based on tried-and-true practices. This article will explain more about the rule of thirds.
As you look through your viewfinder at a scene, always scan all around the image and not just look at the subject. You want the viewer drawn into the scene and led to the main subject. Certain compositional elements, such as leading lines and the rule of thirds, will help facilitate that.
Imagine as you view the scene that your viewfinder is divided into a grid like a tic-tac-toe board. In fact, if you check your camera’s manual, you can likely make this grid appear in your viewfinder. The idea behind the rule of thirds is to use the horizontal and vertical lines, and the intersections between the two, to guide your composition.
