Landscape Photography Tip: Rule of Thirds

Landscape Photography:
Rule of Thirds

Many photographers consciously or subconsciously use the rule of thirds when composing their photograph. By placing the main subject and other objects of importance about a third of the way inside a photograph from top to bottom and from each side, a more pleasing and more balanced photograph is achieved. To simplify this technique, create an imaginary grid in your mind's eye or imagine it on your camera's LCD when composing the image as shown in image A below.

Like any rule, the rule of thirds is only a general guideline and should not be adhered to on a strict basis when composing photographs.

It is often necessary and desirable to break the rule when the subject demands it or if a more creative image can be achieved such as when the subject fills the whole photograph or when the subject is located in the center to illustrate a particular point.

Rule of Thirds
In this example, the blue house is the main focal point of the picture and lies at one of the intersection points on the grid to create a well balanced image with a path leading upto the blue house.

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