Many beginner photographers start off shooting everything with their subject smack dab in the center of their frame until they eventually learn The Rule of Thirds. The term “rule”, though, sounds like there is no room for deviation. As an educator, I prefer to think of it as more like “guideline” for composition as it then becomes much less dreadful and a little more beneficial.
What Is the Rule of Thirds?
The rule of thirds is the composition technique in which the main subject of a photograph is positioned at one-third of the edge of the frame. The rule aims to create an appealing composition by providing the subject with perspective and encouraging the viewer to spend time looking at the image.
To apply the rule of thirds, the photographer imagines two vertical and two horizontal lines dividing the frame into nine equal rectangles. Then, they adjust the position and angle of the camera until the subject is either at one of the lines’ intersection points or along one of the lines.
As creators, we know some rules are meant to be broken, right? Well, yes and no. If you just randomly center everything without rhyme or reason, it may work out in some instances, but in others, well — work could just appear very amateur. The Rule of Thirds can be broken, but it’s important to understand any rule before you break it and more importantly, to have and understand your reason for breaking it!
While you may not always get your subject perfectly on one of the four intersecting points, aligning your subject along any one of those four lines still makes for a more balanced image.
Centering the Subject: When Should You Break the Rule of Thirds?
Take the rule of thirds vs. center of the image in a fight, and the rule of thirds usually wins. However, you don’t have to use a single composition technique for all your pictures. Aim for a diverse and engaging portfolio and try as many composition styles as possible.
There are plenty of situations in which you should go against the rule. For example, you may want to use another composition technique that suits the scene better (e.g., the golden triangle, the golden ratio, etc.). Or you may want to achieve a particular effect by placing the subject in the center of the frame (e.g., symmetry). Check out the most common situations when breaking the rule of thirds is a good thing to do.
When you don’t want to frame the items around the subject
Sometimes, the space around the subject includes distractions you don’t want in the frame. For example, garbage may surround a beautiful flower. Or you have permission to photograph a person but not the people around her. Or you want a street snapshot without electric poles and wires. To avoid unwanted elements, you need to break the rules, place the subject wherever you can, and fill the frame with your subject.
When the scene has strong leading lines that don’t follow the rules
In some cases, the scene dictates the composition. If the scene has strong diagonal leading lines, for example, using the golden triangle rule instead of the rule of thirds may be a better idea. For scenes with strong curve lines, the golden ratio rule works better. Don’t follow the same pattern for every photograph. Each picture is unique; you have to adapt.
When symmetry can’t (and shouldn’t) be ignored
Some subjects have features you simply can’t ignore, and symmetry is one of them. But the rule of thirds may stand in the way. A center position, rather than the rule of thirds, is more suitable for enhancing symmetry because you add the symmetry of the composition to one of the subjects. The effect is much more powerful, and the viewer won’t be able to ignore it.
When the subject is not really the subject
There may be more to a photograph than a subject. Your visual story may be about a mood, feeling, or aesthetic. Imagine a person with his arms wide open. Who the person is may be less important than his attitude and body language. By emphasizing the grandness of the gesture, you invite the viewer to emerge into a more profound meaning. And to do that, you need to place the subject in the center of the frame.
When the scene has multiple subjects
When you take photos of a couple, it is easy to use the rule of thirds and draw the viewer’s attention to them. But when you photograph a large group of people, they all are the subject of the photograph and need the same attention. Therefore, you have to come up with an inclusive and well-balanced composition in which everyone has equal chances to be seen. The same applies to other multiple subjects, such as trees, flowers, and patterns.
When the brief says otherwise
Commercial photography comes with restrictions, and you have to follow the brief even if you don’t like it. For example, corporate headshots and restaurant menu pictures will always have the subject in the center of the frame. For fashion editorials and advertising, you may need to follow the storyline and instructions from the editor or director. The brief may dictate where to position the subject, camera-subject distance, lighting, and background options. As a result, you have to adapt the composition to the requirements.
Thirds vs center composition rule: It’s all about creativity
Yes, the Rule of Thirds makes for a more interesting image but in some cases, centering a subject can work too. It’s not an out, though. It’s really important to understand why you are intentionally centering your subject before you press the shutter button because knowing and being in control of what and how you shoot is going to be the key to your style.
