Understand the basics of "Rule of Thirds"

If you are lingering into the photography profession, then you must have come across the phrase "Rule of Thirds". Do you know what exactly is Rule of Thirds and how can it help you take perfect shot?

Well, great shots aren't only about camera gears and lenses. It is all about simplicity and how you work behind the cameras. To get the perfect shot, you need to arrange your subject and object in the photographs. Whereas, understanding the basics of Rule of Thirds will help you to place your subject and object in the right place resulting in excellent shots.

Not everyone will go with Rule of Thirds as there is no boundary in arts and photographs. But in order to break the rule of thirds, you need to understand its basics first.

Without further delay, let's break the ice.

What is the Rule of Thirds in Photography?

The Rule of Thirds in Photography is the imaginary alignment that helps to capture the composed and focused photographs.

Imaginary alignments? Yes, you heard it right. It is the imaginary lines or grid lines that divide your camera screen using 2 horizontal lines and 2 vertical lines forming the perfect nine even squares.

Most of the cameras these days come up with grid lines. Even your mobile camera might have it. If your camera doesn't have grid lines, then imagine the lines mentally and put your important elements in your view along those lines, or at the points where they meet.

Have a glance at this image. The image is well composed and has used the Rule of Thirds perfectly. The shooter has placed its main important elements in the center.

Let's look at the grid without the image.

Well, it’s all empty but you know what to do with these lines. These are generally called the Grids. Grids are the lines that guide you to place your picture elements in the right order along with intersecting points. 

Be creative and imagine where to put your picture elements, so that it would look astonishing. Third Rules are important as it helps to make your image outstanding and stand far out from the crowd.

Points of Interest and Rule of Thirds

You want to be extraordinary with your shots, and don't know to do it?

Well, the rule of thirds helps but besides that, you have to be well aware of your picture points of interest. Points of Interest is simply a point that attracts user attention. It is also the dominant focal point that grasps the eyes of users instantly.

Rule of Thirds and point of interest is interconnected. If use it properly, you can simply put the wow factor in your image without any hustle.

For example:

Look at the above picture. The point of interest is on the left side. It has occupied most of the left portion, whereas the right side is clear with the blurred background.

If you put the image within the grid lines, it will look like this. The photographers have used the left and center to give a pleasing shot.

The next example will help you to know the rule of thirds more clearly.

The picture looks astonishing as it has used the rule of thirds. The two third of the picture is covered with the mountains, whereas the road is in the center giving a clear view where it's leading.

Now, let's look at the same image with our own imaginary lines.

Did you notice, how photographers have perfectly put the road in the bottom center? Well, that's simply beautiful composition.

The beautiful bunny looks astonishing, while the green plants soothe the eyes. Let's look at the same image with grids open.

See, how the photographers have placed the one and only important elements of the pictures? It's completely on the right side followed by the natural grass as a background.

Well, you have the idea of how the rules of thirds work now. It is the master of putting your object on 1/3 and 2/3 or follows the point of interest or put the object between intersections.

If you are still not sure, study the above examples and try to copy that. First, try to center the object, it works, if it didn't then try switching the left and right side. Use the 1/3 and two 2/3 rule or simply create the point of interest.

It takes time to master it, but with practice nothing is impossible.

Likewise, you can use the editing software to finalize your shots. Many software's including the famous Lightroom or photoshop has the grid option.

If you are using the Lightroom then simply press "R" on your keyboard to enable the grid. Whereas, for photoshop, click on view>new guide. Though there's no exact thing as rule of thirds in photoshop, but that will work. Rest, you have to imagine yourself.

Breaking the rule of thirds

All rules are meant to be followed, but not in photography. We can’t deny that photography is one of the forms of arts, and there are no such rules that define the arts.

Sometimes, breaking the rules can outcome the excellent and eye-catching shot. So, be experimental with your gears. But before that, you need to know what you are breaking it.

Till then keep using the rules of third.