Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is known as the “rule of thumb”. It applies to the process of creating photographs (or paintings or designs). The guidelines divide the image into nine equal parts so that important elements are placed along the guidelines or their intersections. The intersections are where the horizontal and vertical lines cross. The rule of thirds creates more tension, energy and interest in the image, as the image is not centred but slightly to one side.

The rule of thirds, a photograph with the guidelines.  The bee’s eye is placed on an intersection, as it is an important element. The image is based to the right instead of centred; this is more interesting as there is only a limited space for background instead of having a plain background on both sides of the main focus of the photograph.

The rule of thirds without the guidelines. The main element of this image is the hut to the right of the image. This is interesting because it is a shot of the landscape but still holds a key feature (the hut) within the photograph without making the image all about the hut.