Rule of Thirds

Beginner Composition Principle

The Rule of Thirds is a fundamental photography principle that helps create balanced and visually appealing images. Imagine your frame divided into a grid of nine equal parts with two horizontal and two vertical lines. By placing your subject along these lines or at their intersections, rather than in the center, you create a more dynamic and natural composition.

Rosemary Beach, Florida: Notice the original photograph top left. By cropping the image in different way we can implement the rule of thirds. In the final photo the rule of thirds is used by placing the subjects on the bottom right of the frame. This preserves the leading line of the wave coming in which draws you eye to the subjects. Congratulations to Glori Kloda, as this image is a fan photograph!

This technique is especially useful for landscapes, portraits, and street photography, guiding the viewer’s eye through the image in a way that feels intentional and engaging. While the Rule of Thirds is a great starting point, it’s not a strict rule—sometimes, breaking it can lead to even more striking photos!

Grid Setting for Mobile Phones

Ok, so by now you should be excited about this technique but what is the best way to implement it? Well, we have great news! Our camera phones make it effortless to apply. By enabling gridlines, two verticle and two horizontal lines will automatically appear whenever you take a photo. Once activated, they act as a subtle guide every time you take a photograph—helping you straighten horizons, position subjects more effectively, and compose well-balanced shots. You may not always notice them, but when you need them, they’ll be there to enhance your photography.

Here’s how you can find and activate the grid line setting on both Android and Apple phones.

For Android (May vary slightly by brand and model)

1. Open the Camera app.

2. Access Settings:

   • Tap the gear icon (⚙️) or three dots in the camera interface.

3. Find the Grid option:

   • Scroll down and look for "Grid" or "Grid Lines."

4. Enable Grid Lines:

   • Select 3x3 Grid (most common) or other available options.

5. Exit settings:

   • The grid should now appear when you open the camera.

For iPhone (iOS)

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Scroll down and tap "Camera."

3. Find the "Grid" toggle:

   • Under the Composition section, toggle Grid to ON.

4. Open the Camera app:

   • The grid lines should now be visible.

Salt Lake City, Utah: The image above honors the rule of thirds. the subject is a little wooden home on stilts positioned in the bottom third of the frame.

Venice, Italy: The Doge's Palace showcases the Venetian Gothic style. The walls are so ornate, we used the rule of thirds here to draw attention to the clock.

Move to the next Beginner Composition Principle: Framing

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