Rule of Thirds

A lot of times when we take pictures, we tend to have the subject in the center of the image. This is because when we look at something, we focus on the center. If we imagine that there is a grid separating the image into nine rectangles, we could make the photo look much better. The way you use the grid is to line up your subject to one of the lines, not the rectangles. People think that the rectangles mean something, but in reality, you actually do not use them for anything. For example, if your subject is a person, position them so that they are aligned with the right vertical line. It is helpful to your picture that you have your subject on the right, because most of us read from left to right, which means that the viewer will be able to look at the subject as well as your background. Having your subject closer to the camera is a bit more challenging when using the grid, because you have to figure out what is going on which line. For example, if your subject is a woman's up-close face, try to position the camera or her face so that her eyes are on the top horizontal line, and preferably her chin on the bottom horizontal line. The rule of thirds is a bit more useful when shooting horizons or landscapes. This is because you can align them to the grid so that you can get a more symmetrical and beautiful picture. For example, aligning an ocean horizon to the bottom horizontal line can make the sky look more dramatic. Aligning the horizon with the top horizontal line lets the viewer see more of the foreground. Imagining a grid is useful, but having the grid option on the screen helps you remember the rule of thirds when shooting. Many beginners will not remember this rule when shooting, because they are so used to shooting the subject in the center. With more and more practice, though, they can remember to put the grid on for a better view. Many people believe that this rule has to be applied every time you shoot a picture, but this is not he case. Sometimes, the subject or location may not allow the rule to be put into play, so it is completely okay to use other methods. Once a person is used to shooting with the rule in mind, they can then proceed to learn more techniques to improve their images.