The basic principle behind the rule of thirds is to imagine breaking an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so that you have 9 parts.
The idea is that an off-center composition is more pleasing to the eye and looks more natural than one where the subject is placed right in the middle of the frame. It also encourages you to make creative use of negative space, the empty areas around your subject.
It's a good idea to position people off to one side of the frame. This provides some "breathing space", shows the subject's environment, and stops the photo from looking like a mugshot. We are naturally drawn to people's eyes. Place them at one of the intersections on the rule of thirds grid to give the shot a clear focal point.
When photographing moving subjects, position them as normal, but also pay attention to the direction they're moving. As a general rule you should leave more space in front of them than behind, to show where they're going
Examples of Rule of Thirds Photography
Assignment:
- Take 40 - Rule of Thirds Photos (any subject, in a VERY well lit area).
- Create Contact Sheets
- Correct 6 photos
- Post to Flickr in an album called Rule of Thirds
Credits:
Created with images by Asher Ward - "untitled image" • Benjamin Lambert - "Hanging Gaze" • Muhammadtaha Ibrahim - "untitled image" • Quinn Buffing - "Kayan Child" • Hamish Clark - "untitled image" • 𝚂𝚒𝚘𝚛𝚊 𝙿𝚑𝚘𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚙𝚑𝚢 - "untitled image" • Susanne Schwarz - "Poppy" • John Torcasio - "Gridiron Victoria" • Tim Umphreys - "untitled image" • Jacob Rank - "Cincinnati coffee shop corner" • Quinn Buffing - "Hmong Woman" • 𝚂𝚒𝚘𝚛𝚊 𝙿𝚑𝚘𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚙𝚑𝚢 - "untitled image" • Samuel Zeller - "Girl with backpack in art gallery"