What is the rule of thirds?
–The Rule of Thirds is a rule of thumb people in the visual arts (like photographers) use to create a visually interesting image. Draw imaginary lines splitting up your photograph into thirds vertically and thirds horizontally. Where these lines cross is about where you want to place the attention-getting elements in the image. Also, when composing the image in your viewfinder, if you move any prominent elements like the horizon line, wall or fence off the center line and towards the one-third line you often create a more dynamic image. The next time you thumb through a magazine, look at the advertisements. Many times you will see the rule of thirds being employed. IMPORTANT: The Rule of Thirds is a Rule of Thumb! Not a law. Feel free to break the rules whenever you like, but be sure to try them out thoroughly, first.
The rule of thirds is the compositional guideline (it isn t strictly a rule per se) which states that images with dominant points of interest usually look best with those points situated about 1/3 of the way along the image. For example according to this guideline a horizon looks best 1/3 of the way down from the top of the image or 1/3 of the way up from the bottom. Or a picture of a field with a large tree in it will look best when the tree is situated roughly 1/3 of the way across the image from one edge. It s a useful starting point for composition, especially if you re a beginning photographer. A common novice mistake is to centre everything and try to get things right in the middle, which often results in rather static-looking photos. This guideline is essentially a simplification of the golden section or golden mean.
