The rule of thirds is one of the most well-known compositional techniques in photography. It involves dividing an image into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, to create a grid of nine equal parts.
According to the rule of thirds, the most important elements in an image — i.e. the main subject or focal point of the photo — should be placed along these lines or their intersections. This simple guideline can help to create more balanced and eye-catching compositions.
For example, see this photo of a fine feathered friend. 👇
The principle is that the rule of thirds creates points of interest that are evenly spaced and aesthetically pleasing. It also creates negative space — the empty space around your subject — in the other two thirds of your image. Again, this makes for a more pleasing photographic composition.
What are the 'power points' in the rule of thirds?
The power points are the top left, the top right, the bottom left, and the bottom right in the grid. These are considered to be the most visually interesting points in a frame — the points where the viewer’s eye will go first — and they are often used to place key elements such as the horizon or a subject's eyes.
The history of the rule of thirds
The history of the rule of thirds is somewhat murky, but it is thought to have originated in painting. Some of the earliest examples can be found in the work of 16th-century Italian artist Raphael, who frequently divided his canvases into three sections. Our friends at Wikipedia suggest the first example of the rule of thirds in writing came from John Thomas Smithin 1797.
You can read more about the history of the term there. But for our purposes, let's get a bit more practical. How do you apply the rule thirds in your work to create a better composition?
