The rule of thirds is a photography composition guide. Imagine two horizontal and two vertical lines dividing your frame into nine equal rectangles. Try placing your subject along a line or near an intersection.
This is one way to plan the composition of a photo. The examples below show how to use the grid for portraits and landscapes, and when a different arrangement may suit your picture.
A rule of thirds overlay
What Is the Rule of Thirds in Photography Composition?
The rule of thirds uses two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. The grid gives you reference points for arranging your subject, the horizon, and the space around them.
Composition is how you arrange the subject and objects within your frame. A grid can help you compare placements, but it cannot decide which picture works best.
The lines meet at four intersections. Start by placing a point of interest near one of them, then check the rest of the frame. You do not need to line everything up exactly.
You can imagine the grid or use your camera’s display guides. If your camera supports a thirds grid, check its manual for the display setting; menu names vary by model.
A rule of thirds grid
How to Use Points of Interest
Look at the relationship between negative space and your subject. Placing the subject off center can leave room to show its surroundings and establish a focal point. Check the other elements too: a bright object near the edge can affect the balance of your image.
In a portrait, try placing an eye near an intersection or the person along a vertical third. In the example below, the person sits close to the left grid line and looks into the open space on the right. Compare the photograph with and without its overlay.
The landscape below uses a similar arrangement. The foreground boat sits near the lower-left intersection, while the mountain lies near the upper-right one. They do not need to land precisely on the grid to give you a starting point for composition.
Important Compositional Elements
For a landscape, seascape, or cityscape, decide whether the sky or the foreground deserves more space. Try the horizon along the lower horizontal line to show more sky, or along the upper line to show more land or water.
In the road scene below, the horizon sits near the middle. The road’s converging lines still draw attention toward the distance. A centered horizon is not automatically a weak composition.
In the night scene below, the sky fills roughly the upper two-thirds. This gives the stars more space than the mountains.
Giving more of the frame to one element emphasizes it. If the detail in the foreground matters more, try a higher horizon instead. Compare both arrangements before choosing.
Can You Break the Rule of Thirds?
Yes, you can break the rule of thirds. Symmetry, a centered subject, or a close crop may fit your photograph better. Use the grid as an option to compare, not a test that every image must pass.
Coco Amardeil’s portrait below places the face close to the center. Her series Come Hell or High Water won second place in the series category of the 2017 LensCulture Portrait Awards. The award was for the series, rather than this single photograph.
The concept behind a picture, its lighting, expression, and framing can work together. Here, the close framing and direct gaze give you plenty to look at without placing the face on a thirds intersection.
© Coco Amardeil
Rule of Thirds in Post-Processing
You can also compare compositions in post-processing. With software like Lightroom or Photoshop, a tighter crop can remove distractions. Check that it does not cut off an important detail or remove space your subject needs.
In Adobe Lightroom Classic, press R to open Crop Overlay, then press O to cycle through the crop guides until the thirds grid appears. These are Lightroom Classic shortcuts. The screenshot below shows an older interface, but illustrates the grid’s purpose.
In Photoshop, select the Crop tool and drag the crop handles to compare a different frame. Use the preview to judge the placement before applying the crop. If you want guides outside the crop workflow, see our guide to Photoshop grids and guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn on the rule of thirds grid on my camera?
Look for a grid or guide display in your camera’s manual or settings. The name and available grids depend on the model. On an iPhone, open Settings > Camera and turn on Grid. In Lightroom Classic, use R to open Crop Overlay and O to cycle the guides.
Where should you place your subject with the rule of thirds?
Try placing your subject near a grid intersection or along a third line. In a portrait, you might place an eye near an intersection. For a landscape, compare the horizon on the upper and lower lines. Then check the space around the subject and adjust the frame.
When should you break the rule of thirds?
Use another arrangement whenever it serves the photograph better. A centered portrait, a reflection, or a symmetrical scene may work well without the thirds grid. Comparing a few compositions helps you make the choice; you do not need permission to experiment.
Conclusion: Using the Rule of Thirds Grid
Practice by photographing the same subject with a thirds placement and a centered placement. Compare what draws your eye in each version. Look at the surrounding space and the balance between different elements.
You can also compare the rule of thirds with the golden ratio, or try using a vanishing point to organize lines in the scene. Choose the approach that supports your subject.
Check out our Intuitive Composition eBook to better capture everyday photos!
