Introduction to the Rule of Thirds in Photography and Videography
Posted by Cynthia Martinez on 5th Apr 2021
Introduction
The rule of thirds is one of the most well-known rules in photography and design. It can be applied to any subject to improve the balance and composition of an image, and it is one of the most helpful compositional techniques in photography as it acts as a guideline for where to place your subject in a way that draws the eyes of the viewer. In this blog, we will be showing you what exactly the Rule of Thirds is and how to implement it in your photography and videography to create truly eye-catching shots!
What is the Rule of Thirds?
The theory is simple. You want to envision two lines dividing the image horizontally and two others dividing the image vertically. The four intersections of these lines are where you want to place your subject(s). Utilizing these four intersections will give your image a well-balanced feeling while also directing the eyes of the viewer in a way that seems natural.
Examples:
Photo by Daniel Apodaca, via Unsplash
In this image, you can see that all elements in the background, middle, and foreground fall within three of the four intersection points provided by the rule of thirds. While it remains a very simple image, our eyes are drawn from one flower to the other(s) in a natural way, giving the image balance.
Photo by Ankhurr Chawaak, via Unsplash
Similar to the previous example, the foreground and subject (in the middle ground) are in line with one of the lines provided by the Rule of Thirds, giving it balance and a natural flow between foreground, middle, and background.