|
|
|
Whether you take portraits, nature close-ups, cityscapes, or landscapes, the rule of thirds can help you compose a stronger, more visually appealing picture. And if you've already taken a picture, you can use the rule of thirds when you crop a picture to enhance its composition.
The rule of thirds defines where to place the main subject of your picture. Start by dividing the picture into thirds both horizontally and vertically (imagine a grid for playing tic-tac-toe). The resulting grid has four intersecting points. These points are strong places to position the subject of your picture, because the eye naturally focuses on these points.
Likewise, for landscapes, you'll create a more dynamic picture if you place the horizon line along one of the grid's two horizontal lines, rather than across the center of the picture.
When you crop a picture, you can choose to view the grid, or guidelines, for the rule of thirds. You can then use these guidelines to decide what portions of your picture to crop to enhance its composition.
