Spy Diary

The Rule of the Third (also called the Golden Section) might seem a little complicated: But actually it is not as complicated as you probably think. If you are able to divide a square in nine equally sized parts, you will be able to use the Rule of the Third.

Before you do anything else, try to turn on your TV and find a news channel. Wait until you see the newsreader. Where is he sitting? In the middle of the picture? No, he is sitting either in the left or the right third. And that is the Rule of the Third.

Since the earliest days (long before the photograph) painters found out, that if you place the main subject either about one third or two thirds from the top and/or from the left side, the painting will be more balanced.

To be absolutely correct the right place to put the main subject is not exactly one third (or two third) from the border. There is a complicated mathematically rule that describes the exact place. But it is so close to one third that is fine enough for practically use. So as long as you are not showing your pictures to a mathematician, you will be fine.

So try to place your main subject in the third parts, when you are photographing. It can be either horizontal or vertically; or it can be both.

It is really important to use the Rule of the Third when photographing the horizon. In many photos the horizon is placed in the middle of the picture. That gives an unbalanced photo, because it is divided into two parts.

Instead look at the frame. What is most interesting; the sky or the ground? If there are beautiful clouds in the sky, then this part should fill up two thirds of the picture. Are the subjects on the ground more interesting they should fill up the largest part.

On some cameras the subject has to be in the middle to make it sharp. In this case you shall just place the subject in the middle of the frame, press the releaser half down and then turn the camera so it points to the subject. Then press the releaser completely down.

It is okay to break the Rule of the Thirds (like all other photographic rules). But you shall know why you are doing it and therefore only do it on purpose.