The Rule Of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds

Composition is everything! No amount of detail in an illustration or Concept Painting will be successful without a strong composition foundation. From the golden rule came the “rule of thirds” which is virtually the same concept but slightly altered to fit photographic proportions...


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Implied forms.

The Triangle or Pyramid

This has a ‘solid base’ and will show Stability. It also has Height and Strength. The Pyramids of Egypt have survived for thousands of years while other types of solid buildings have crumbled in to dust in less time...

The Circle

The Cilrcle is made up of a continuous ‘Curve’ and it’s circular movement keeps the eye in the picture frame...

The Radii

Is a connection of ‘Lines’ meeting in the Center and an expansion of ‘Lines’ leaving the Center. The Radii is usually found in Nature Subjects. The best example of the man made Radii is the spokes of a wheel...

The Cross

A showing of ‘Opposing Force’ that will give the picture a feeling of Cohesion and Relationship. The horizontal bar of the Cross will act as a “stopper’ while the vertical pole can act as a leading line...

The 'L' or Rectangle

This makes an attractive ‘frame’. It can be used to accentuate important subjects. Many times it is a ‘frame’ within a ‘frame’...

The Iconic

Iconic Composition or “Formal Subdivision” applies best to subjects of a dignified or religious nature. This style of composition was the approach of choice in earlier times and many excellent compositions have been made with it. Usually Iconic composition is used to describe symbolic subjects, heroic subjects, or religious subjects...

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But it doesn't mean that if you start applying the rule of thirds you will instantaneous achieve breathtaking, beautiful results; always it is a case of careful observation as well as a combination of other equally important ingredients like lighting, colour that truly bring out the full effect.

The information was taken from CGSociety. You can read the whole article here.