Breaking the Rule of Thirds

Perhaps the most often cited rule of photography is the rule of thirds. Developed by artists, this rule aids composition and  determines the most powerful placement for key subjects. Four lines divide the frame into an imaginary grid of nine identical rectangles. The idea is that you place your primary focal point on one or more of the four points of intersection, and place key vertical or horizontal lines along one of the dissecting lines.

The rule of thirds is an excellent tool that can produce strong, balanced and pleasing compositions in most situations, but  if you stick to it religiously your compositions may eventually start to look formulaic. The good news is it’s perfectly  possible to create gripping compositions by consciously breaking this rule. Doing so can also give the image is a very  different atmosphere.

If you’re going to break the rule of thirds it’s worth demolishing it, otherwise the result may look like a failed attempt  at following the rule. Try positioning your main subject right up against one edge of the frame or right in the corner. This  can create a wonderful feeling of space – you can achieve a similar effect with landscapes by placing the horizons close to  the top or bottom of the frame.

Autofocus can prove problematic here. Because most digital cameras don’t focus points situated around the edges of the frame. In  this case you will have to focus separately on the subject using one of the central AF points, lock the focus using AF lock, then  recompose your shot. It also worth noting that positioning your subject in the dead center is actually the most appropriate  solution for many subjects. For instance, symmetrical subjects including reflections circular subjects, zoom bursts, and  sequences made off odd numbers of subjects will often look strongest centralized.

Another paragon of good photography is that you should include your entire subject within the frame. Accidentally cropping  off, say, the tip of someone’s head can be displeasing because the eye naturally expects to be able to examine subjects in  their entirety.

Flaunting the no-crop rule with intent can, however, produce intriguing results, particularly if you take it to the extreme.  With portraits, for example, try excluding the head altogether and focusing on the torso, legs or hands. Then have your  subject turn his or her back to the camera. Try cropping out both eyes and focusing on the mouth and neck, or cutting off  the bottom half of the head. Remember, what you choose to leave out of a composition can be far more poignant than what you  include because forces the viewer to use his or her imagination to fill in the blanks.

You can try this with moving subjects  as well, allowing part of them to “break the frame” i.e. be cropped off by the frame. This is a clever way of implying  movement beyond the frame, though you must be careful – when the frame abruptly cuts your subject off at the ankle, knees or  shoulder it can also imply amputation! Try it with the subject walking or running straight past the camera. Switch to  continuous high-speed shooting mode, start with the entire subject in the frame and don’t stop shooting until they are  completely out of shot.

Tagged with: autofocus • Composition • Digital Photography • Focal Point • Focus Points • Four Points • Horizons • Horizontal Lines • Imaginary Grid • Landscapes • Points Of Intersection • Rectangles • Reflections • Rule Of Thirds

Filed under: Photography Tips

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