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The Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds is an aid to composition when taking photographs (or creating artwork). The Rule of Thirds employs a grid comprising of two vertical lines and two horizontal lines, dividing the space into thirds and nine equal spaces as in the image below. Where the lines cross are points of intersection, marked by the circles.

The elements of the Rule of Thirds grid are:

• Two vertical lines
• Two horizontal lines
• Three vertical columns
• Three horizontal rows
• Four points of intersection
• Nine equally sized rectilinear areas

Why Thirds?

By aligning elements in an image to elements in the grid, it is possible to achieve a balanced composition. This is an alternative to centering elements within the space. It can help to generate visual tension between elements and areas, encouraging the eye of the onlooker to move around the image.

How to use the Rule of Thirds - horizontals and verticals

When composing your photo, visualise the Rule of Thirds grid over the image and align important elements to it. Some cameras provide this grid as an option on the LCD screen. It is not important to align elements to the grid exactly. Use it a an approximate guide.

If your image has a strong vertical or horizontal element then it may help to align it close to one of the corresponding vertical or horizontal lines. For instance, in landscape photography try placing the horizon near to one of the horizontal lines in the grid. If there are trees or edges of buildings in the image try placing those close to one of the vertical lines. The images below illustrate some possibilities.
Mouse over the image to reveal the grid.

Somerset house
The horizon is aligned to the upper horizontal line of the grid and the building is divided into the three upper spaces.

Tilbury Generating Station
The left tower is aligned to a vertical line, the horizon is aligned to the lower horizontal line of the grid and the foreground is divided by the three lower spaces.

Fizzical
This image is divided by a strong vertical edge that is close to the right vertical in the grid.

Tractor, Norfolk coast
The horizon corresponds to the upper horizontal and the positioning of the tractor to the left vertical.

How to use the Rule of Thirds - focal points

Often, a composition will not have strong horizontal or vertical elements but may have strong points of focal interest. For instance the focal interest may be a flower, therefore try placing this element close to the centre of one of the points of intersection. The images below illustrate some possibilities. Mouse over the image to reveal the grid.

Daisy
The main focal point of this image is the flower in the foreground. This corresponds to the bottom right intersection in the grid.

Often when taking this kind of photo where the focus is off centre, it may be necessary to employ focus lock.

Vikings
The main focal point of this image is the man that is facing towards us. His face corresponds to the top left intersection in the grid.

London Eye
This is similar to the image above but this time it is the capsule that is the main point of focus. The top edge of the row of dormer windows corresponds to the lower horizontal.