The rule of thirds is a "rule of thumb"
or guideline which applies to the process of composing visual images such
as designs, films, paintings, and photographs.
The guideline proposes that an image
should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced
horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that important
compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections.
The rule of thirds is applied by aligning a
subject with the guide lines and their intersection points, placing the horizon
on the top or bottom line, or allowing linear features in the image to flow
from section to section. The main reason for observing the rule of thirds is to
discourage placement of the subject at the centre, or prevent a horizon from
appearing to divide the picture in half.
In the rule of thirds,
photos are divided into thirds with two imaginary lines vertically and two
lines horizontally making three columns, three rows, and nine sections in the
images. Important compositional elements and leading lines are placed on or
near the imaginary lines and where the lines intersect.
