Rule of Thirds: How & When to use it?

Rule Of Thirds - Featured image
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The rule of third is probably the most used technique in the visual composition. You can apply it to improve the quality of your photos as well as your videos.

However, it not a rule that you need to strictly follow.

In this guide, I’m going to show you how you can use it to enhance your footage. Also, I’ll guide you on when you’d want to use it and just ignore it.

I’ll explain it all with examples. So keep reading!

What is the Rule of Thirds?

The rule of thirds is a composition technique where you place your point of interest in a position that grabs the viewer’s attention.

The best way to understand it is by putting the horizontal lines like this.

rule of thirds grid lines

You may have seen grid lines like this in your camera before.

I used to switch it off as I never knew its true purpose to be honest.

Now, if you’re new to composition and framing, I’d recommend you keep it switched on.

How the rule of thirds works?

The two evenly spaced horizontal lines intersect two vertical lines to form a grid.

Now, here is the deal:

You have to put your subject on these lines, especially where they intersect. Once you do this, you’ll create aesthetically pleasing shots.

You can use the rule of thirds to balance your shots and give them more context.

But that’s not all

It would draw the viewer’s eyes to these focal points. So, you can use this technique when you want your audience to focus on an object. 

How do you apply the rule of thirds?

Now before we dive right in, I just want to tell you that you can apply it the same way in both a photo as well as a video.

How marvel used the rule of thirds when cap lifts the hammer

And Hollywood movies are full of shots with the rule of thirds applied.

Using the rule of thirds in photos

Now let’s head outside and take some landscape photos.

photo of a lighthouse in day time
photo of a lighthouse in day time

You see, the photo doesn’t look great, and that’s just because of how I placed the lighthouse.

Now, what happens when I change things around?

Same photo of a lighthouse but with rule of thirds applied
Same photo of a lighthouse but with rule of thirds applied

You can see our composition looks much better now and we have a much more pleasing shot. How better it looks compared to the previous one?

Now, if your shot has two subjects, you can place them on each parallel line.

using rule of thirds with two subjects

Using the rule of thirds in videos

Now you know how to use the rule of thirds on static shots. What happens when you want to apply the same rule of thirds when there is a movement?

Just place your subject using the grid lines.

Hulk punching thor in avengers

That’s not all

What happens if you’ve already taken the shot of your footage and haven’t applied the rule of thirds?

Well, don’t worry because it’s not too late.

Cropping a video using video editor to fit the rule of thirds
Cropping a video using video editor to fit the rule of thirds

Just import your footage in video editing software and adjust the composition using the rule of thirds grid. And there you have it!

When to Use the Rule of Thirds?

Now, when you’re watching a film or a TV show. Pay close attention to where are the subjects are being placed within the frame. You’ll be surprised to see how often they apply the rule of thirds.

famous joker dancing on stairs used the rule of thirds

So, the next time you’re about to take a photo or shoot some footage. Take a moment and think about your framing, composition, subject, and the rule of thirds.

Take it this way,

Suppose that you’re shooting a horizon. Now you can line up the horizon on either of the lines.

Now, you can put the horizon at the bottom line if there is nothing interesting.

shooting a horizon using the rule of thirds - putting horizon at the bottom line
Putting horizon at the bottom line

You can have the horizon on the line at the top if there is nothing interesting in the sky.

shooting a horizon using the rule of thirds - putting horizon at the top line
Putting horizon at the top line

You can put your subject on any line and the focus point on any intersecting point. It all depends on what you want to capture.

When Not to Use the Rule of Thirds

Here’s the deal,

The rule of thirds won’t always make your footage look better, it may make it worse in some cases. 

How about an example?

You’re taking a photo with a horizon line, but this time there is a reflection.

capturing a horizon line with a reflection - an example of when not to use the rule of thirds
An example of when not to use the rule of thirds

Now when you’ve got a reflection in your frame, you’d want to keep the horizon in the center. This is where you’d fail to apply the rule of thirds grid. You’d essentially have to go for the center compositions in this particular condition.

The Bottom Line

There you have it, an actionable guide on the rule of thirds.

The next time you’re about to take a photo or shoot some video. Take a moment just to think about your shot. Then decide whether you’re going to use the rule of thirds or ignore it.

After all, rules are there to be broken. But do so only when you’ve got used to it.

Also, take it more as a rule of thumb rather than a rule to be strictly followed.

Picture of Gary Olson
Gary Olson
Gary Olson loves taking footage and editing them. His photography journey started with the release of the iPhone 6 back in 2017. He now uses both DSLR as well a mirrorless camera.

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