Taking Better Pics: Part 3 Rule of Thirds

If you've ever taken an art class, you will have heard this term. It is a compositional rule that applies to all mediums of art— Photography, painting, drawing. It is more pleasing to the eye and it can make a good image great. It involves breaking the scene into 9 equal parts and positioning your subject where lines intersect. So, there are 4 sections you can use. This isn't rocket science...it doesn't have to be exact!! (See the chart below.) . This rule also is in place to try to avoid the horizon being in the center of an image. It needs to be in the upper part or the lower part. I won't say I ALWAYS do this. Sometimes it makes sense to break the rule. But often, this creates a more pleasing set up.

If you start looking for it, you will find the rules of thirds everywhere. Advertisements, movies, TV, photography.


So, lets get to some examples shall we?


Here is what most people default to. It will work....but it could be better.

If you Fill the Frame and use the rule of thirds.

It works vertically also, you just flip the graph on it's side.

The rule of thirds also helps to add drama and scale to your photos.

And creates movement.







Now, I don't use this rule in every shot. Especially with children, sometimes they move so fast you take what you can get, but this is a set up I go to automatically all the time. Try it!! I know you'll like the results!