By understand the overall unity of the image, that is, the relationship between the horizon line, objects, light and color, which is pleasing to the eye and gives the structure of the frame convincing sound and integrity. However, the individuality of perception does not always allow one to understand what composition can be called harmonious. The rule of thirds is one of the main techniques that allows you to achieve balance in the composition, as well as attract the viewer’s attention and direct it to a certain way of reading the frame.
The Rule of Thirds in Painting, Photography and Film
the frame can be divided into parts: two, three, four or more, depending on the conventional lines that form the boundaries of the objects in the composition.The classical division adopted in painting, photography and cinematography is based on the rule of thirds. This compositional technique involves dividing the image into three parts vertically and horizontally. The visual centers of the composition are considered to be four points of intersection of lines (the so-called “points of power”), in which it is recommended to place the main objects. Compliance with the rule of thirds in the visual organization of the composition allows us to solve an important problem: achieving a harmonious relationship between different parts of the frame (plot-significant and free space).
In the painting “Evening Landscape and Two People” by the German painter of the Romanticism era Caspar David Friedrich, the figures of people are shifted to the left side of the composition, while the right is empty, although it is no less significant for the plot, because with its help an invisible diagonal is built, conditionally continuing the line of sight.
Painting by the German painter Caspar David Friedrich “Evening Landscape and Two People”
Now let's turn to the classics of landscape photography - the works of Ansel Adams. In the first photo, the rocks are positioned along the vertical lines of the thirds, and the central part of the composition is free, which significantly increases the depth of perspective. In the second, the rule of thirds is observed in the location of the horizon line: one third of the frame is occupied by the sky, and two thirds by the earth, since in this composition it has a more interesting texture. Greater dynamics appear in the landscape when the horizontal line moves to the upper or lower third, depending on the subject.
And the arrangement of the characters in some scenes “” according to the rule of thirds allows you to simultaneously balance the composition and introduce two characters into the frame, placing them relative to each other in a manner convenient for shooting.
Peculiarities of perception
The rule of thirds is based on a simplified version of the golden ratio - a more complex compositional organization that involves division into several unequal parts, which at the same time relate to each other in a harmonious way.Golden ratio vs. rule of thirds
Arranging objects in the frame in such a way that the main elements are located, firstly, along the lines of thirds, and secondly, not far from the points of strength, gives the composition that very harmonious sound that is subconsciously read by a person. It is important to take into account that people simplify the structure of visual images, so the ordered composition of the frame is easier to understand. The rule of thirds tells the viewer how to quickly read a visual image.
In two shots from Inception, the composition relies on the use of the rule of thirds. In the first case, the space is not loaded with additional elements, and the figures of the heroes are simply shifted to the right side of the frame using the diagonal principle of composition. In the second, six characters, at first glance, are randomly (naturally) placed around the stage, but in fact clearly correspond to the diagonal lines and their intersection points.
Combination with other compositional techniques
As a rule, the level of complexity of a frame composition is determined by the number of techniques used to construct it. It is not only the lines of thirds that determine the vector of correct reading. In combination with these, diagonal, perspective, frame format and the use of different lines are important. These principles often work together because they rely on the linear principle of organizing space. In contrast to the nonlinear approach, based on the transfer of state, internal rhythm, and placement of accents using light and color, lines determine the formal structure of the frame. For example, in three frames of their films “Whispers and Screams”, “The Double Life of Veronica” and “” the state of the characters in the setting is conveyed to a greater extent due to color, light and the technique of reflection, although formally in each of them the organization of space according to the rule of thirds is observed .
Straight horizontal lines bring staticity and stability to the composition, while vertical straight lines are more dynamic. The human figure requires a vertical frame, so in photography, for a classic portrait of different sizes, the vertical format is most often used. In cinema, the width of the frame is always greater than the height, but the dynamism of the pose can be emphasized by additional intra-compositional lines, for example, doorways, architectural forms and any structures that visually echo the lines and proportions of the human body. For example, positioning Alicia Vikander in one of the scenes of The Danish Girl against the background of the canvas creates additional vertical frames around her figure without interfering with the overall organization of the frame according to the rule of thirds.
No less important are diagonals - active lines that divide the frame into four parts. The main diagonal runs from the upper left to the lower right, the secondary and more dynamic one runs from the upper right to the lower left. Dominance is based on the same principle as the rule of thirds: we read the usual direction of movement from left to right more easily than the opposite. In the photographs of the Hungarian photographer Brassai, the rule of thirds and the diagonal are used simultaneously to enhance the sound, which gives the composition dynamism and sets the direction of the conditional movement (reading of the photograph).
The rule of thirds works not only with straight lines, but also with broken and curved lines. In these cases it is less noticeable, but the organization of the frame space is still based on the division into nine parts and accents at points of strength. At the same time, the broken lines themselves in the frame increase tension, add aggression and are considered the most difficult for compositional organization. An uncomfortable feeling can arise from a space filled with complex reliefs with protrusions and angles, hard shadows, and even from the deliberate angularity of a character’s clothing.
Why it's good to break the rule of thirds
Like almost any compositional technique, the rule of thirds is not always the only recipe for a successful shot. The strong belief that placing objects along the lines of thirds makes the composition pleasing to the eye is true, but not in all cases. Violating the rule of thirds does not prevent some compositions from being perceived harmoniously thanks to other techniques - soft light, as in the shot from “It Happened One Night”, Still from the film “La La Land” (2016) / Photo: LionsgateThe second cliche: perfect symmetry is alien to human balanced perception, because there is nothing perfectly symmetrical in the world. Hence the popularity of the rule of thirds, which assumes that the arrangement of objects in the frame will not be centralized. However, deliberate ignoring of the lines of thirds is not at all uncommon. In many famous works of painting, photography and cinema, composition does not rely on the rule of thirds.
The location of the main characters strictly in the center makes the composition smooth, static, no less aesthetically harmonious and solves several artistic problems at once: it draws the viewer into the frame, creates an invisible connection between objects, organizes the space and emphasizes the importance of the scene, and in addition can perform dramatic functions, for example, to illustrate a state of peace or, on the contrary, anxiety.
The rule of thirds is a powerful compositional tool that helps make your photos more interesting and dynamic. It is rightfully taught as one of the first subjects in all digital photography classes because it is the key to understanding how to take interesting, balanced photographs.
At this point I can reassure you - neglecting this rule does not mean that the photograph will turn out uninteresting. However, one piece of wisdom says that in order to break the rules, you must first learn them - only then can something worthwhile come out of the violation.
So let's get started. To understand what the rule of thirds is, let’s mentally divide the image into thirds horizontally and vertically (see figure), resulting in 9 fragments.
* Many cameras have a function of displaying a grid of thirds, it’s easier here, you don’t need to mentally imagine anything.
The intersections of the grid lines form four points. When composing the frame, place the most interesting objects in them, on which attention should be concentrated. But don’t forget about the lines themselves, they will also be useful to us. These lines are useful when shooting landscapes. The rule of thirds is very useful when we're talking about about the use of strict horizontals or verticals. Placing straight lines in the center of the frame divides the image into two equal halves, giving it a static and disjointed feel. Separating one third of the photo with a line gives it much greater harmony. Position the line so that the most important part of the scene takes up the bulk of the image. For example, in my case, the rock and the sky are important, so I placed the horizon on the bottom imaginary line, not on the top.
There is an axiom in photo theory that states that a photograph will be more balanced and will make a deeper impression on the viewer if the objects of interest to the photographer are located at intersection points or along grid lines. Studies have shown that the human eye involuntarily selects one of the points, and not the center of the image, that is, in fact, the “rule of thirds” is one of the features of our vision, put at the service of photography.
Some photographers intuitively understand the “rule of thirds”; others take time and practice to turn this skill into a reflex.
Again, remember, breaking this rule can lead to great photos, so once you get the hang of it, start experimenting.
And finally. Remember the “rule of thirds” when editing your photos. Using, for example, Photoshop you can crop and center the image, thereby bringing it into compliance with this rule. You can start with old photos to practice and see the results. For example, the photo below was cropped in Photoshop using the rule of thirds. The boat with people is located at the intersection of the lines, and plus the horizon lies exactly on the top line (“2 birds with one stone killed”)
And finally, some tips on using this rule
Tip #1:
When photographing landscapes, compose the frame so that the horizon lies on the upper or lower horizontal line; if there is no horizon in the frame (shooting mountains, etc.), then place the junction of the ground and the foot of the mountains or the junction of the sky and mountain peaks on one of the lines . The main thing is that there are no clearly defined terrain junctions and transitions in the center of the frame.
Tip #2:
In portrait photography, compose the frame so that the eyes are on one of the horizontal lines, if this is a group photo then there may be heads on this line
Tip #3:
Use vertical grid lines for things like trees, waterfalls, specific architectural details, or just a person with a background behind them.
Tip #4:
Place the objects you want to focus on at the points where the lines intersect. And even if it’s just an unnecessary object that you can’t remove from the frame, then just place it at the intersection of the lines, and most likely you’ll see it in a “new light.”
Tip #5:
If you see that when composing a frame without using the rule of thirds you will get a more interesting and original photo, then feel free to ignore this rule, because there are always exceptions. If, when composing the frame of the original photo, there is no light, then use the rule of thirds. In general, experiment, experiment and experiment again, because no one is stopping you from taking pictures with different layouts of the same scene.
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Rule of thirds in photography
Even novice photographers have already heard about the rule of thirds. It is also called the golden ratio rule. But not everyone accurately understands its essence.
In our youth, we didn’t really care about following any rules when taking photographs. When shooting landscapes, we ensured that the horizon line was almost in the very center of the frame. We also tried to place the person in the center. Don't believe me? Take a look at your family photo album and you will immediately see that this statement is correct. All sorts of rules for constructing a composition appeared not very long ago. They help achieve more expressive shots. But it is not always necessary to use all these rules. Some photographers specifically engage in experiments, which result in very good shots that only envious competitors can call them monstrous.
Rules of the golden ratio and 1/3 in photography
To follow the 1/3 rule in photography, you should use a 3x3 grid. Its display can be enabled in almost any digital camera. This grid divides the frame with black or white lines into three equal blocks vertically and horizontally. The rule of thirds in photography requires that the main subjects be at the intersection of lines. It is believed that the human eye primarily looks at these points, which is why the picture in in this case seems more beautiful.
The rule of the golden ratio in photography is applied everywhere. It must be followed even when shooting landscapes. The horizon line is best placed along one of two horizontal lines. Otherwise, the frame will be split in half, and this is ugly. Any division of the photo in half confuses the viewer. He cannot decide which area of the frame is more important.
Enabling the grid display is only necessary in the first months of photography. After this or less time, you will learn to determine the golden ratio points by eye.
Simple rules of composition in photography
Many objects in our world are similar in shape to geometric shapes. Take a look around your room, office, or outside. You will find many squares, ellipses, triangles and circles. Each such form evokes certain emotions in the viewer. The rule of geometric composition came to photography from psychology, and it is also often used.
Looking at a square or rectangular object for a long time gives the viewer a sense of stability. The triangular shapes help the viewer gain a sense of stability. But only if the triangle is installed on its base. In the case of an inverted triangle, mixed feelings arise and a feeling of anxiety appears.
The opposite feelings are caused by viewing round objects. In this case, the viewer has a feeling of complete peace and comfort. Is this why photographs of food placed in round plates have become so popular?
Basic rules for good photography
The list of golden rules of photography also includes a competent display of perspective. This applies to shooting landscapes at maximum depth of field.
The camera is different from the human gaze. Most of us look at the world with two eyes, which is why objects appear three-dimensional. We must not forget that the camera is equipped with only one lens, so the feeling of volume must be artificially evoked. To do this, try to shoot in places where the foreground, middle and background are clearly visible.
When shooting a portrait, three-dimensionality is achieved more easily. The photographer simply opens the aperture as wide as possible, after which the background becomes blurred.
Correct perspective is also conveyed with the help of light. But this requires suitable weather. For example, medium shot The morning fog may highlight your photo, while mountains or large hills will rise in the background. Let there be shrubs or small trees in the foreground. Clouds that hide sunlight in certain areas of the flat area can also help in this matter. Also, do not forget to remember that light objects appear more distant in a photograph, and dark objects appear closer. The dark foreground further enhances the sense of depth.
Color composition
Another simple rule of photography, which was discovered by psychologists. Different colors cause certain sensations in the viewer when viewed for a long time.
Colors are divided into two groups. Warm colors are yellow, red and orange. When viewing photographs saturated with such colors, associations arise with the sun, summer and warmth. The group of cool colors includes pink, purple and blue shades. When viewing them, the viewer has associations with cold, water and winter.
The saturation of color also influences the viewer’s emotions. Photographs with soft tones evoke calmer feelings. Bright colors excite the viewer, excite him. That is why photographs in bright colors are most often used in advertising. The advertiser needs to remember his brand.
Be very careful when choosing the color component of your photo. It would be very stupid if bright spots of color are found near the main subject of photography. They will only distract the viewer.
Black and white photography
To convey emotions more deeply, many photographers use black and white photography. The rules of photography state that volume is conveyed much better in such photographs. But conveying a feeling of happiness and peace through black and white photography is very difficult.
When creating photographs like this, remember that the viewer's eye will first pick out the light details. The person moves to the dark areas of the photo last. There is even a special optical illusion based on this theory. Take a photo in black and white of a sheet of paper with stripes of the same thickness applied to it. The white stripes in the photo will appear thicker than the black ones. From this it follows that in black and white photography the main objects should be light and stand out against a dark background. Otherwise, the person's eye will focus on something else.
Diagonal rule
Another rule of composition in photography concerns the viewer's gaze. You must make him move from the less important object to the most important one. This is sometimes very difficult to do. Diagonal lines help most in this regard - roads, sea waves, power lines and much more.
The lines do not have to be straight, only their direction is important. The ideal photo would be one in which the line runs from the bottom left corner of the frame to the top right. This will allow the viewer’s gaze to climb in the same direction. The presence of such lines immediately adds dynamics to the picture. If the line is descending, then the photograph will evoke peace and tranquility in the viewer.
Conclusion
These were the basic rules of photography. In fact, there are many more of them. But these are the ones you should keep in mind. Don’t forget to experiment, throwing away the rules of good photography for a while. This is especially true when shooting with mobile devices or unusual lenses.
The “rule of thirds” is the basics of photography, which is mentioned in many books as one of the ways to construct a frame composition. The basic idea is that while shooting, a 3x3 grid is displayed on the screen, which divides the frame into 9 equal rectangles. Thus, this tool tells you how to build the correct composition of the frame at the shooting stage - placing the most important objects in those places where the lines intersect.
If you believe the concept of rule three, then the most successful picture for visual perception looks like this - the main object of the frame is located at the intersection points of the grid, and the horizon runs along one of the horizontal lines.
From a composition point of view, this is quite Good photo. The skier and the highest peak are located on the first vertical line, with both of them close to the intersection points. So this photo looks good because it follows the rule of thirds? Let's figure it out.
Problems with the rule of thirds
In fact, there are none. The Rule of Thirds is one of the simplest compositional guidelines. First of all, it is intended to ensure that you do not make serious mistakes. Good composition is about more than just placing important image objects at the intersection points of a 3x3 grid.
Another point worth mentioning is that you can apply a grid to almost any image and find that the main features of the photo fall into the intersection points.
Can these photographs be said to apply the rule of thirds? Of course, but don’t forget the statement from the beginning of this section that this method helps to avoid gross errors in frame construction. Let's pay attention to them.
What does the rule of thirds do?
The best this method can do is prevent you from placing your subject too close to the edge of the frame, or worse, cutting it off at the edge. Take a look at this disgusting example.
The 3x3 grid also tells you not to center an object unless you have to. Photos with central placement look flat, ordinary, boring and not dynamic. Try to avoid such placement.
For beginners, the rule of thirds is a convenient method for creating photo composition, but you shouldn't get hung up on it. Let's see what we can do better.
Best approach
Effective composition is quite a complex subject because there are so many different details that can be used in a frame to guide your eye. A real master class in this matter can be taught by great artists such as Da Vinci, Van Gogh and Picasso. They certainly didn't create their masterpieces using the rule of thirds alone. Let's look at what makes this photo of a skier interesting.
By overlaying the 3x3 grid, it becomes clear that the rule of thirds suits him, but not in terms of a strong composition.
What happens in this photo is that the leading lines draw your eye to the person on skis, who is contrasted against the snow. In addition, the image is balanced, in which the foreground, mountains and sky occupy approximately the same space and are clearly distinguishable from each other. The example below shows the main guide lines.
As you've probably already noticed, all the lines direct your gaze to the focal point - the skier and the mountain behind him. Our eyes primarily pick out contrasting and bright areas with saturated colors. The man is at the intersection between the bright foreground and the darkened mountains and sky. He is also the only orange object in the almost monochrome, cool-toned scene. You can't take your eyes off him.
Another important point is the strong diagonal, which makes this image much better, adding dynamics. This solution not only directs the skier's gaze, but also neatly separates the foreground from the background, and also gives a sense of speed.
What to do next
We hope this article has given you an understanding of the rule of thirds and that there are many more techniques used to create a composition than just a 3x3 grid. However, this simple method will help you prioritize your frame and fill it better, so be sure to turn on the grid display on your smartphone camera. Don't forget to take a look at our detailedThe "rule of thirds" is an important photography technique that can be applied to any scene to improve the composition and balance of an image.
The "rule of thirds" is one of the most useful compositional techniques in photography. It is important to understand how the "rule of thirds" applies in different areas of photography in order to take more interesting and harmonious photographs.
Of course, rules should never be applied blindly, especially in art, so you should treat the "rule of thirds" as practical advice, not dogma. However, in most cases this technique will allow you to get nice photos and will serve as an excellent Starting point when constructing a composition.
What is the "rule of thirds"?
Applying the "rule of thirds" involves mentally dividing the image with two horizontal and two vertical lines, as shown below. Then you should place the key elements of the scene at the points where the lines intersect.
A grid based on the "rule of thirds". Important elements (the barn and the boundaries between the ground and the trees) are located along the lines and at their intersections. Photo by Martin Gommel.
The essence of the rule is that such a composition is easier on the eye and looks more natural than photographs in which the subject is located directly in the center. The "rule of thirds" also forces us to be creative in our use of "negative space" - empty areas located around the subject.
How to use the "rule of thirds"?
When composing a photograph, mentally divide the scene as described above. Think about which of the photograph's elements are the most important and try to place them along the lines and at their intersections. This does not mean that they must be exactly inscribed at these points; it is enough if they are located nearby.
The horizon line and the key subject in this photo are placed according to the "rule of thirds" close to the lines to create the most impact in the photo. Photo by K Praslowicz.
You'll likely have to move around to find the best composition. This will help you think through your shot better, which is a really good thing whether you use the rule of thirds or not.
To assist, some cameras have a grid of thirds lines. Thanks to this, you don’t have to estimate by eye and you can more accurately select the correct location of objects.
Examples
The "rule of thirds" is quite universal and can be applied to most areas of photography. The following are some examples of how it can be used in filming.
When photographing landscapes, photographers often place the horizon in the center of the frame, which creates a feeling of fragmentation in the photo. Instead, the horizon should be positioned along one of the horizontal lines, following the "rule of thirds."
Try to complement the photo with other interesting objects, such as the tree in the photo above, and also place them according to the rule of thirds. Thanks to this, an “anchor” appears - a natural point to which the attention of the audience will be riveted.
Placing people closer to one edge of the photo works well. Thanks to this, free space appears, the photograph becomes lighter, the surrounding interior becomes visible, and the photograph no longer looks like just a snapshot of a face.
The viewer naturally draws attention to the eyes of the subject in the photo, so it is worth placing them according to the “rule of thirds” at the points of intersection of the lines to give the photo the correct compositional basis.
In the image above, the main subject was placed at the intersection, along one of the vertical lines. The branch approximately coincides with one of the horizontal lines. White space in the bottom left corner provides balance and keeps the photo from looking too crowded.
Vertical objects, like this lighthouse, can split (similar to a horizon line) a photograph into two parts. In order to prevent this unwanted effect from appearing, when forming a composition, place the subject outside the center of the frame.
When photographing moving subjects, follow general placement rules, but be aware of the direction of movement. The general rule is to leave more space in front of the subject than behind it to show the direction of movement.
Using photo processing programs
You can easily adjust your photos to the rule of thirds using frames. This feature allows you to change the location of key objects in a photo, moving them to better positions.
Framing using the "rule of thirds" will allow you to improve your composition. Photo by Jenn Forman Orth.
To make the process easier, programs like Photoshop and Lightroom have a built-in crop tool guide that follows the "rule of thirds." The tool overlays a grid with lines of thirds, helping you get the composition right.
Breaking the rules
The application of the "rule of thirds", as well as any others (at least in photography), is not necessary in every situation. Sometimes by breaking it you can get much more exciting and interesting pictures. Experiment and try different compositions, even if it goes against all the rules you've learned so far.
However, you should learn to use useful features"rule of thirds" before you try to break it. This way you'll always be experimenting meaningfully, trying to improve your composition, rather than just experimenting for the sake of it.
