Frame and Composition Blog 3

Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds states that a photograph should be divided into nine squares of equal sizes with two horizontal lines and two vertical lines. At one of the intersecting points should be the subject.

Taken by: Jim Zuckerman

This composition is a very successful and well-defined example of rule of thirds. The subject of the photograph, witch in this case is the cheetah, is aligned in an intersecting points of the vertical and horizontal lines. The photographer made the image more interesting and appealing to the eye by not positioning the animal in the center of the image, rather on the side. 

Taken by: Kathryn Schauer

This is another example of rule of thirds. Unlike the above picture, the graph is not visually represented on the photograph, but if applied it would be come clear that the subject, witch in this case is a do, is at one of the intersecting points of the lines. 

Taken by: Nick

Taken by: LaForge Photograp

This image is a very poor example of rule of thirds. Instead of lining the subject, which in this case is the surf board, up with one of the intersecting points of the grid, the photographer centered the subject, witch overall is not very interesting or appealing to the eye. 



This image is also a poor example of rule of thirds. The photographer, much like the above photo, centered the image rather than placing it of to the left or right, which would have made the composition more interesting as a whole.






Rule of thirds, overall, is something to consider when taking photographs. In some cases it may not matter, but in others it could mean the difference between a well-taken photo to a breath taking one.

-Calista