What is the 'rule of thirds' used for in photography?

Answer 1

The practice arose as a rulew of thumb in composition,certainly antedating Modern SLR cameras with direct viewing. May have some connection to the Abney"s Rule developed by one Captain Abney of the RE engineers.He invneted the Abney level andalso did somework with pinhole cameras. The altrnate termfor Rule of thirds using theanalogy with a Tic-Tac-Toe diagram-is Octothorp, also spelled Octothorpe, the Original menaingforthis verfsatile punctuaitonmarkaka Number sign,Pound Key,etc.Ansel Adams invented the Zone, a developing process of compositon far more complex thbn the rule of thirds. mind that Lens cap!

Answer 2

The Rule of Thirds is a guideline for photographic composition. It is based on the theory that human perception will find an image to be more interesting if the subject is located around the points 1/3 of the way across the image, either (or both) horizontally and vertically.

Imagine lines on the image area, dividing it into thirds in both directions. Place important subject matter where the lines intersect (x's) to produce a more dynamic-appearing photo. For scenic photos, placing the horizon on either of the two horizontal lines will produce a much better image than if you place the horizon across the center of the frame.

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|-------x------x-------|

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Some cameras, including newer digital cameras, can show the grid on the viewing screen to aid in composition. It's also helpful for ensuring that the horizon is level in your photos.

Answer 3

In Photography the 'rule of thirds' is used as a guideline when creating paintings or photographs. It means imagining the picture split into 9 equal parts by two lines both horizontal and vertical.

Answer 4

The rule of thirds refers to the asthetic quality of putting elements of a photograph off-center in the picture, at roughly the one third marks from the top, bottom or either side.