Considering the rule of thirds is perhaps the most popular (certainly the best known) way of composing an image, but only a short while ago did it dawn on me that not everyone is familiar with this composition guide. But that’s alright. After all, the first reason why we are here is to learn. What I found slightly worrisome is that we didn’t actually have an article on the rule of thirds. It is about time we rectify the problem.
What is the Rule of Thirds?
You should see the rule of thirds as the default choice of composition for most photographers, the most popular guideline. Basically, it dictates that, during the process of composing a photograph, the frame should be divided into nine equal rectangles by four intersecting lines, two of which cut the frame into thirds vertically, the other two – horizontally. A popular 3:2 frame would be divided thus:
As you may gather, a square frame would be divided into nine smaller equal squares. The elements of importance within a given frame should be placed at the intersection points of these lines, as shown in the above scheme, or go alongside them. So, for example, a landscape image composed perfectly according to the rule of thirds would mean the horizon placed at either one third of the frame from the bottom, or one third from the top (if the horizon is a key element in the given photograph, of course):
It is important to keep in mind that the rule of thirds can also be followed when using other composition guides. For example, I left quite a lot of space at the top of the frame with this portrait and although the bride’s eyes are still centered along the vertical axis, they are placed at the third of the frame horizontally:
Why is It so Popular?
Rule of thirds is a derivative of the very well known golden mean, a composition and ratio guideline based on the Fibonacci sequence. And, if you are surprised to find art and math have something in common, don’t be – the golden mean has been known for thousands of years now, if I am not mistaken. Be that as it may, golden mean is a ratio that people find to be particularly pleasing and natural. Basically, it is considered to define perfect proportion and is also found not only among objects of art, but also in nature.
So, because the rule of thirds is a derivative of the golden ratio, it is easy to understand why we find it to be so pleasing to the eye. But that’s not the main reason for its popularity. You see, the perfect ratio that I mentioned is approximately 1:1.619 and, as you understand, isn’t particularly easy to previzualize when composing a photograph through the viewfinder. In comes the rule of thirds with its simplified divide-into-three-equal-parts approach. It’s much easier to apply in the field, yet retains the bigger part of the aesthetic appeal of the golden ratio. That is what makes it so accessible and usable by the majority of photographers, and not just beginners.
As you can see from the images, I apply the guide myself every now and then. Having said that, I am not too big a fan of this type of composition and rarely follow the guideline on purpose (I had to adjust or add some cropping for a few of the photographs shows here as I struggled to find enough examples), but it does happen naturally from time to time.
Final Words
The rule of thirds is certainly worth learning. Yes, it may be the guide for the masses, but rightfully so – it’s both easy to learn and effective. However, whether you should always meticulously follow the guide is a different question altogether. I would suggest you experiment and search for what seems to be the best composition for you for every photograph you take and not just make the default choice. If learning the rule of thirds is a step in the right direction, knowing when not to apply it is a leap in comparison.
Isn’t a large part of composition based on what “feels good”? Mostly what feels good to the artist/photographer? For instance, in your photo of Dorothy’s ruby slippers :) you have placed space before the subject, I would have placed it after.
Agreed. As a native English speaker, reading from left to right both in text and imagery, having empty space on the left just feels awkward
Hmmmm. As a native English speaker (and a someone whose job is to work with words and pictures every day), I instinctively prefer the empty space on the left. The right is just too … predictable.
Fully agree with you Paul.
Like the first bar of Beethoven’s Fifth – the pause is before . . . _
Perfectly natural eh?
That said, I prefer the space after -left right brain dominance?? Who knows?
Which goes to show how subjective “good” composition is ….
Actually, good composition isn’t so subjective once one knows the actual principles–without the confusion of the multitude of rules and guidelines that pervades amateur photography circles. What we have to recognize is that like or dislike (ie taste) is different than good or bad. Once we separate these things, we can actually evaluate the composition, a process which must also take into account the intent (implied) of the image.
True, that. I meant to say that taste is subjective.
Having space on left side is perfect in this picture for capturing with the shadows as the light is from bottom-right.
The set up could have had the light coming from the bottom left. This composition really does illustrate how big a part subjectivity plays. Just for kicks I copied the photo into PS and flipped it left to right. For me at least the composition which had “felt” wrong, came alive.
For mat years I was trying to adapt the rule of third to my photos because I, as many photographers are getting good results inside our frame. Recently I watched a seminar and finally after so many years of using this “rule”, or breaking this rule, I understand the why.. The secret is on the balance of the elements on the grid. if we position for example something at the 1st vertical rule of thirds then we leave negative space to the other side and we have a better balance.. So we like the result.
As a beginner, I appreciate subject matters covering the basics
There are several derivatives of the rule of thirds. The rule of sixths is often used in landscape photography – particularly when you want just a sliver of sky or horizon.
The placement of the open space is a creative choice, but there are some guidelines. For example, you want to leave space in front of a moving subject so they don’t run into the edge of the frame. This is important for birds, wildlife, vehicles, etc. A similar idea is used for eyes – you want space for their gaze – but sometimes the creative decision is to have the subject of their gaze outside the frame.
It’s perfectly fine to break the rules, but generally better to do that as a creative choice rather than just not knowing the rule of thirds. I often create multiple images – some with the rule of thirds or other rule applied, and others with the conventional rule consciously broken. I hate to ignore the traditional image and only capture one image with a rule broken – it might not work.
Yes, I learned this in a photo class at a local college. When there is time to compose I do use this technique and it works. A DISPLAY option provides those lines on both the view finder and display screen.
Isn’t this really about asymmetry rather than a strict 1/3rd rule? I mean, nobody get out a ruler when looking through a viewfinder, unless there are lines provided – but I don’t need them.
It is known that even the human face is slightly asymmetrical and that photos taken front-on and one side of the face duplicated on the other side to make it exactly symmetrical, research has shown we like the asymmetry and even find it more appealing – and we don’t exactly know why.
Test this by looking at a close friend, especially your wife that you look at every day, take a look at her in a mirror (or a reverse image in Photoshop) and she looks oddly different in a way that you will find hard to pin down. But we know why she will look different as the features of her face has been reversed.
Symmetry is boring, asymmetry is intriguing, interesting. Rule of thirds is just a confirmation of that.
Not only (a)symmetry, but balance as well.
If you follow the “rule” blindly and place your subject in one of the lower thirds, and leave everything else as “empty space” (which 90% of the time should be called “wasted space”), the picture will probably be just bad, unless you really know what you’re doing.
I personally dislike the whole concept of the “rule of thirds”. It is not a rule and I think the thirds have little to do with good composition.
Agreed.
When I look through the viewfinder, I don’t find myself thinking in terms of 1/3rd rule, I just follow my instincts honed from many years – but the rule is good for beginners as it makes them more conscientious of two things, don’t blindly put the subject in the middle of the frame (as it is rare when that works) and also to think in terms of composition and get them down that track.
I find there are other rules, such as you say ‘balance’, and when using wide-angles, get something happened in the foreground, which I have a rule that with wide-angles, get up close and personal with wides, use the available depth of field (and learn about hyper-focal length and stuff like that). I tell also new-comers to look for ‘lines’ in the framing, especially diagonal lines, so there is a ‘rule’ that is up there with the 1/3rd rule, in my book.
But when you say ‘balance’ in the photo, that just about encompasses it all, but you can only learn that by experience and just keep taking photos and you start seeing what works and what does not. That is where digital photography is so much better than film – take a LOT of photos and get the feedback of your work. This is not wasteful if you do it with purpose in mind.
Thanks for this great article. I’ve never really thought about the placement of the horizons during composition. Now I can go play with this.
Best article….. basic tips are most important to learn, thanks for guiding .
Hi Romanas,
Thx for the article. When should u not use the rule of thirds if it is a “leap” ? Some examples would help …
Sometimes the nature of your subject dictates whether rules are broken. I took a photo of 2 deer, 1 of which was looking “outside” the photo. My sister-in-law thought the deer should have been looking inward, but my experience is that there is always at least 1 one “guard” checking out the horizons for danger. I wanted my photo to reflect that.
My comment is not so much about the rule of thirds as it was about the space left. I left no space in front of the deer looking away as I felt he wasn’t looking at something in particular, rather he was looking for something unknown (danger) which he couldn’t see.
The Rule of Thirds is a very simplistic and static guideline for the beginner. While it might help one create more successful images in the early in their pursuit of photography, it would be much better for people to take the time to study the foundational Principles of Design. These will give one the tools to actually compose the image to fit one’s intent rather than fitting the scene to the rule.
As an aside, there is actually no evidence that the Rule of Thirds is related to the Golden mean. The familiar grid and the importance of the intersections first appears in the early 1800’s but is part of a system of compositional grids of various proportions which have several subsets of guidelines as to how they should be used. Even this more complex system, as well as the many other guidelines presented in that work, is described as “the object is to show how pictures may be produced without requiring so much skill, or taking so much trouble.”
It might be worthwhile to embrace the trouble and gain the skill…… just sayin’ !
Hi Photographylife!
My biggest compliments for your articles about composition, like Rule of Thirds, Creating Corner Exits, Central Composition, and so on. That’s a fine inspiration for everyday photography. I enjoy, that your site deals so much with photography and less about photo equipment. After all it is the pictures, that is the most important.
There is always something to learn from these articles. Thank you!
Though we apply them daily, we need refresher courses on Safety, Etiquettes, Communication etc. once in a while. These articles covering the basics are refresher courses for the experts and at the same time crucial foundation material for beginners. Some may learn swimming on their own… but to acquire the grace and win the Olympic medals, it is critical to have a coach and transfer of techniques.
This is really awesome. I’m learning so much from this site. Thanks!