by Frank Lucer

New photographers are taught the ‘rule of thirds’ as one of the first guidelines toward making exciting pictures. This is a technique in which a hypothetical grid (similar to a noughts and crosses board) is utilized to frame subjects. The grid separates an image into nine equal portions with four junction points and four lines.

These points of intersection – and the lines which create them – serve as focus points. They accommodate a viewer’s natural tendency to focus on them. In doing so, the rule of thirds helps you to make pictures that are concurrently balanced and engaging.

In this post, we’ll explain how the R.O.T. is employed for single subject and multiple subject compositions. We’ll describe the guidelines of engagement and supply an example which will explain how the technique can be applied poorly. Lastly, you’ll discover why all rules of composition, including the ROT, are meant to be thrown out.

One Subject versus Many Subjects

In single subject photographs (i.e. those picturing a lone person or object), the composition’s main focal anchor rests along the left line of the grid. Points of interest that are positioned on that line will inspire your spectator to interact with your photo. When framing multiple subject compositions, a slightly different approach is needed.

Several points of interest need a prioritization of each subject’s importance to the photograph. You’ll need to consider which subjects will be in the foreground and which will remain in the background. Where you place those subjects on your ROT grid will either underline or discount their significance.

Of the four intersection points on your grid, the bottom right point has the most focal weight. That’s where your viewer’s eyes are naturally drawn in multiple subject compositions. The upper left point has the least focal weight. Imagine you were to seat your foreground subject on the upper left junction point while placing your background subject on the bottom right of the grid. Such framing would appear counterintuitive to your spectators. It would confuse them.