Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds originated from the Golden Ratio

WHAT IS THE GOLDEN RATIO?

Also called “Golden Mean,” the golden ratio is an ages-old, mathematical ratio employed by artists since the time of the Greeks to show objects in visually-pleasing proportions.

The golden ratio defines a rectangle of specific mathematical proportions, known as a Golden Rectangle. (Interestingly, these proportions are closely approximated in the shape of a 35 mm film’s frame or the viewframe of your digital camera, and are found throughout nature in great number.)

THE TECHNICAL STUFF

The dimensions of the rectangle are derived as follows: the ratio of the short side to the long side is the same as the ratio of the long side to the sum of both sides. If the short side is called “A” and the long side is called “B”, then the formula is A is to B as B is to B+A. (Sound complicated? It gets worse. But, if you give it some thought for a moment, it will sink in, and you will suddenly grasp the concept, and realize its simplicity.)

Using the dimensions 5 and 8 from the Golden Rectangle diagram directly above, the formula would be 5 is to 8 as 8 is to 13. In numbers, the ratio is approximately 0.616 to 1.000.

THE RULE OF THIRDS

The Rule of Thirds finds its basis in the Golden Rectangle. Draw two vertical and two horizontal lines in a golden rectangle so as to divide it into thirds, creating nine smaller rectangles and four points where the lines intersect, as shown in the diagram above on the right. Experience has demonstrated that by placing objects over these intersections, a pleasing and balanced arrangement often results. (The rule applies equally whether the rectangle is horizontal or vertical.)

When an image's center of interest is placed at one of these intersections, you can often achieve balance in the picture by placing a secondary object (known as a "counterpoint") at the opposing intersection. In the picture on the left, for example, the bird is the center of interest, and the young man is the counterpoint. (It could be argued that the bird is the counterpoint since the young man's expression is so intense, making him the center of interest, but the difference is academic, and doesn't alter the principle of placement in accordance with the Rule of Thirds.)

WHAT HAPPENS IF I IGNORE THE RULE OF THIRDS?

You may still have a great picture. It depends on the content of the image and how well its elements are balanced. The "Rule of Thirds" is not a rule at all; it's a guideline, intended to help you when you are uncertain as to the placement of elements in a scene when you are framing the picture.

The big problem that the rule of thirds helps photographers to overcome is placement of the subject dead center in the frame. Any object that is dead center commands the viewer's attention. It is too powerfully-placed to ignore, overshadowing other elements needed to understand the picture. If you want your viewer to ignore all other parts of your composition, then place your center of interest smack in the middle, like a bullseye. The important thing is that you know the reasons for object placement in your images. Knowing why you do something and what effect it will have leads to good composition.

Try this little exercise - You will, in the course of your day, come across many images where the center of interest is placed in the center of the frame, contravening the rule of thirds. Study such pictures to see if you could have improved their composition by placing the center of interest elsewhere in the picture. In good images, you will find that it needed to be placed dead center for the effect the photographer wanted. You will also come across many pictures that aren't so good. Study them to see if the problem is one of composition. Ask yourself what would happen if the center of interest had been placed in accordance with the rule of thirds. When you visualize it in accordance with the rule, you may be amazed at the improvement.

Your awareness of the rule of thirds does not mean you should consciously place the center of interest in accordance with the rule every time. At times, your subject should be altogether somewhere else in the frame to make your composition pleasing or interesting, or to better tell the story that you are trying to convey with your photography.

Use the rule of thirds as a fall-back guideline - a compositional aid that is known to be pleasing and that artists over the centuries have successfully employed. Use your creativity, your knowledge of the effects of object placement, and your common sense to break the rule when needed to make better pictures.