1. Compositional rule in the visual arts
Rule of Thirds
Compositional rule in the visual arts
image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines
important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections
aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject would

2. Rule of Thirds Examples

3. Rule of Thirds Examples

4. Rule of Thirds Examples

7. Consider… What are the points of interest in this shot?
Breaking the rule can result in some striking shots… once you’ve learned it, experiment with purposely breaking it to see what you discover.
Keep the rule of thirds in mind as you edit your photos later on… cropping and reframing images so that they fit within the rules.
Where am I intentionally placing my points of interest?

8. 35 pictures (on Camera or Memory Card) DUE:
Practice
Homework:
Take 35 pictures experimenting with Rule of Thirds. Take pictures of anything you’d like… go for a walk around the house or go outside
35 pictures (on Camera or Memory Card) DUE:
Wednesday,
September 10th
Tips:
Try taking pictures of the same subject and compose using the Rule of Thirds and going against it.

9. DON’T have a boring or unattractive background – “dead space”.
Do & Don’t
DO make sure the background or “negative space” is visually interesting.
DON’T have a boring or unattractive background – “dead space”.

10. DO leave some space around your focal point – watch your framing.
Do & Don’t
DO leave some space around your focal point – watch your framing.
DON’T overcompensate by putting your point of interest too close to the edge of the frame.