Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a fundamental compositional principle in photography that divides the frame into nine equal segments using two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines. According to this guideline, important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or at their intersections (power points), rather than at the center of the frame. This creates more tension, energy, and interest than simply centering the subject. The rule helps photographers create balanced, dynamic compositions with a natural visual flow. While it's called a 'rule,' it's really more of a guideline that can be effectively broken once understood. The technique works across all photographic genres, from landscapes (placing the horizon on the upper or lower third line) to portraits (positioning eyes or the face at intersection points).