Photo Technique:What is Rule of Thirds ? Rule of Thirds Explained in Layman Term

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What is Rule of Thirds ? Rule of Thirds Explained in Layman Term

Rule of Third in Wedding Group Photography
Rule of Third in Wedding Group Photography

So why did this post came about? I was at a Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner the other night and my cousin-in-law who  recently bought a very decent DSLR camera asked how can he take better pictures? A  bit of background first, my cousin-in-law has not heard of aperture nor speed.  OK….

I thought for a while on what  best I can share him then, and decided to start with Composition. And I truly belief if you can master the basic  Rule of thirds technique, you will instantly be a better photographer. At least by 26% 🙂

So what is Rule of thirds? Do Skip this following definition if you prefer simple English:)

Rule of Thirds
Rule of thirds create more emotions in an otherwise pretty simple shot

According to Wikipedia, the rule of thirds is a compositional rule of thumb in visual arts such as painting, photography and design.The rule states that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections.Proponents of the technique claim that aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject would.

Or in layman terms: imagine breaking an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so that you have 9 parts. And your focus point so be place at the intersections instead of the centre to create more energy, tension and interest.

Following are some samples on Rule of Thirds Application:

Rule of thirds Combined with a Foreground to create some Depth of Field
Rule of thirds Combined with a Foreground to create some Depth of Field
Rule of Thirds applied Vertically
Rule of Thirds can be applied Vertically too
Rule of Thirds applied in Travel Photography in this Shot at Lake Como
Rule of Thirds applied in Travel Photography in this Shot at Lake Como

Simple? Yup, it is. Just need a lots of practice.  So take lots of pictures and share some before and after pictures with me k?

Let me know  if there is some other questions about photography I can help answer?

If you found this post helpful, and would like to be updated on future photography tips and techniques like this let's get connected on TWITTER or FACEBOOK .

You may also be interested in the following post:

Photo Technique: How to photograph your Children?
Photo Technique: How to Extend your camera tripod more when it reaches it maximum height?

Thank you.

Till then, take it easy,

KIDCHAN

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6 thoughts on “Photo Technique:What is Rule of Thirds ? Rule of Thirds Explained in Layman Term”

  4. Tanya: Thanks!

    lightangel: Thanks i like that a lot too:)

    Angie: Thanks. hmmph……strange. Sorry about not being able to like it. share it with the FB button instead? 🙂

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