Tip of the Month Composition Refresher
by Theresa A. Husarik
Rule of Thirds

rule of thirds grid rule of thirds grid The Rule of Thirds is often quoted in composition. It says to divide your frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically, and then place your subject at one of the four intersections.

Kodachrome Basin State Park But, in looking for an image to illustrate this, I had a hard time finding one that followed this rule exactly. I guess I am just a rebel ;->. I usually place my subject off of center, using the horizontal or vertical lines, but not necessarily the intersection points. Just keep in mind the most pleasing placement is usually somewhere out of dead center.

Yellowstone Lake Yellowstone Lake This applies to where you place the horizon lines as well. Usually, right smack in the middle of the frame is visually boring. Moving the line up or down will dramatically improve the resulting image.

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