The Rule of the Third (also called the Golden Section) might seem a little complicated: But actually it is not as complicated as you probably think. If you are able to divide a square in nine equally sized parts, you will be able to use the Rule of the Third.
If you are looking for a simple, real life example of the Rule of the Third, you can find a news channel on your TV. Look where the newsreader is sitting; either in the right or the left third. It is a classic example of the Rule of the Third.
Long before the photography painters found out, that if the main subject was placed either one third or two third from the top and/or from the left, the painting would look more balanced.
Actually one third is not the absolutely correct place to place the main subject. There is a very complex mathematically rule that describes the Golden Section. But as long as you are not showing your pictures to mathematicians, it is just fine to use one third as a rule.
So learn from the painters and place your subject in the third parts of the photography. It can be either vertically or horizontal; or both.
The Rule of the Third is especially important, when you are photographing the horizon. A classic mistake is to place it in the middle of the photo. But as you have learned, it will divide the photo in two parts. The result is an unbalanced photo.
So what is the most interesting part; the above the horizon or the one below? Is the sky full of beautiful clouds or is it gray and boring? Place the most interesting part of the subject according to the Rule of the Third.
On some cameras the subject has to be in the middle to make it sharp. In this case you shall just place the subject in the middle of the frame, press the releaser half down and then turn the camera so it points to the subject. Then press the releaser completely down.
It is okay to break the Rule of the Thirds (like all other photographic rules). But you shall know why you are doing it and therefore only do it on purpose.
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Morten Elm is the editor of Foto Fan. Here you can read about
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