Rule of ThirdsHow to make visually appealing images

Above is a rectangle divided into three

sections horizontally and vertically. This box

refers to what you see when you look through

the viewfinder on your camera. If you do not

have this option turned on in your camera, go

do it now. It is also referred to as a "grid".

It is a guideline which applies to theprocess of composing visual images

The main reason for observing therule of thirds is to discourage

placement of the subject at thecenter of the picture.

When you have a solidunderstanding of the rule,

you can then break it.

Images That Followthe Rule of Thirds

The portrait below has the subject positioned

in the lower two right thirds. The top third of

photo is left open for the backdrop. This

creates a more visually appealing photo,

drawing your eye down and over.

In this

vertical

portrait the

model's

whole body

has the right

third line

cutting

through it.

She fills the

right third of

the image

from top to

bottom.

Ideally you want a landscape'shorizon to be in the bottom third of

the image.

You want your image to represent whatyou see. When you look out on the

horizon there is more sky then land. Thisis visually pleasing to the eye. 

The model is

centered in

this image.

This goes

against how

you would

typically

position the

subject but it

works. Ask

yourself why?

eye contact + shallow depth of field+ the sidewalk to draw the eye away

Even though the model is centered in the

frame, her eyes almost intersect the top line.

This makes the eyes the main element of the

picture or what you are drawn to.

What do you want the viewer tofocus on? Put that part of yourphoto on one of the lines. Then

have the subject intersect wherethe two lines meet.

alexis arnold photography

Infographic Created By