When most people first start taking pictures their tendency is to place the subject in the middle of the picture. This approach tends to produce pictures that are all the same. Such pictures can appear fairly static, boring and lack any real sense of dynamism or tension.

The basic rule of composition is known as the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is the basis for well balanced and interesting shots. The basic principle behind the rule of thirds is to break an image into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, so that you have 9 parts.

As you look through your view finder before taking an image you should try to imagine placing the above grid over your image. With this grid in your mind you need to identify the four important parts of the image (points of interest) and line them up with the four red crosses. The grid also gives you four lines which can be used to position the elements of your photo.

The theory behind the rule of thirds is that if you place the points of interest in the intersections (marked by the red crosses) or along the lines that your photo becomes more balanced and more natural. If you view an image where a person’s eyes are at one of the intersection points it should look more natural. A person who is the subject of interest should look or appear to be moving toward the centre of the picture. When taking photos of people, don’t chop them off at the knees or ankles. Include the entire body or shoot your subject from the waist up. A good technique for landscape shots is to position horizons along one of the horizontal lines. Some possible applications for the Rule of Thirds include photographing an animal with their eyes centered on one of the thirds points, looking into the frame or a person standing aligned with one of the thirds lines.

To see the difference the Rule of Thirds can make to an image, try photographing your subject centered in the frame and then at one of the thirds points and see how you feel about each image.

Don?t fall into the trap by believing that if you always follow the Rule of Thirds you will produce great pictures, the “Rule of Thirds” should be considered more of a guideline than a rule.