Rule of Thirds 

Knowing the rule of thirds can substantially improve the appeal of your photographic images. Over time it has been noted that images where the main point of interest in the picture that you want a persons eye drawn to is positioned using the rule of thirds is generally more pleasing to the eye.

To get a handle on the rule of thirds just take an A4 piece of paper and draw 2 vertical lines that divide it into equal thirds and then repeat the process with 2 horizontal lines. You will end up with some thing that looks like a naughts and crosses game.

Now imagine that the piece of paper is the view finder in your camera. The points where they intersect and the lines themselves are the powerful points in a photograph.

If nothing else the knowledge of the rule of thirds will cause you to access your subject and try to establish what is the most fascinating element that you are endeavouring to capture.

Some examples of how you might use this are:

1. Landscape or seascape try positioning the horizon on the top line or the bottom line in the image finder.If the most intriging aspect of the image is the sky use the bottom line, use the top line if the land or sea is more interesting.

2. Try to position the eyes of a subject near or on the top line ifor a portrait.

3. Use a point where the lines intersect to position the feature of main interest in your picture.

4. When a person is on the beach or out in the open when photographing them try positioning them looking into the image on one of the vertical lines.

Have a look at some of your own images and see if by cropping them using your knowledge of the rule of thirds you can make them more pleasing to the eye.

Finally be aware that even though we call it the rule of thirds use it as a guide and when you can find good reason to break the rules don’t let it stand in the way of your natural creativity.

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