Virtually everyone who’s held a camera has heard of the Rule of Thirds. It’s one of the primary rules of composition. Remember that it’s a rule and not Law! Consider it a guideline for better photos, and it’s not to be used with every picture you take.

It’s quite easy to use the Rule of Thirds. Imagine a Tic-Tac-Toe board drawn upon your picture or viewfinder screen. Two horizontal and two vertical lines that evenly split each dimension into thirds. Some digital cameras even have an on-screen grid you can turn on to help guide you. If your camera has it, try it. Mine is on all the time.

As you can see here, it’s easy to imagine these lines as you’re shooting.

Note the placement in this photo of the flower buds.

I managed to get them at opposing Power Points.

Don’t you think this is a more pleasing photo than if the lower bud was dead center?

That would have pushed the upper bud almost out of the photo.

Having something cut off at the edge of a photo is not pleasing.

Small changes make big differences.

Some of the guidelines to follow are:

• The four points where the lines intersect are called Power Points and are good places to place your subject. It’s also good to have something on the opposing side for balance.
• Place your subject in any section but the middle one. Dead center is a compositional No-No.
• Use the lines for placing your horizon. Your photo will show more foreground or sky instead of being cut in half.
• Place your subject on the horizontal or vertical lines, again getting away from dead center.

Making simple shifts up, down, left, or right when you’re shooting can mean the difference between a snapshot and a photograph. Small changes can give you big benefits. Try using the Rule of Thirds and Leading Lines that I talked about last week. You’ll like the results.