One of the easiest rule in photo composition is also one of the easiest to learn and apply – it is the Rule of Third or the Golden Rule. But why the Rule of Third is the Golden Rule of Photo Composition?
Because almost always, when this rule is followed, the photograph turns out to be interesting to look at.
Once you have decided the orientation of the frame – vertical or horizontal, divide the area into thirds top to bottom and sideways.
You want to place the most interesting visual elements i.e. the key elements of your story roughly at the points where the lines intersect.
For instance:
- Do not let the horizon run across the middle of the frame in a landscape
- Do not place eyes in the dead center in a portrait.
Suppose you want to photograph a child riding a bike. The second one is not the best choice since the center of interest is in dead center. So out of the first and the third one, which one would you choose?
I would choose the first one since that leaves space in front in the direction of the rider. As you can see it matters which third segment you choose to place your center of interest.
Let us consider these portraits. The eyes are key elements in a portrait. Looking top to bottom, the line of the eyes is off center in both frames and roughly at a third of the way down. This is fine, since we don’t need to be so perfect. The problem with the one on the left is that her face is at the center of the frame. This is not nicely composed.
The second one one is just right.
Place your center of interest off-center (no pun intended). Also know which third would be the right one.
The picture above could be better if the horizon did not split the frame in half. In a landscape place the horizon above or below depending on whether you want to give the sky or the land/water more prominence.
Keep in mind that the rule does not imply one third exactly, it could be fifth, seventh or whatever depending on the shot.
