The Rule of Thirds in Photography

The Rule of Thirds in Photography is a theory of balance in photography. In academically studied photography, the concept involves dividing an image into nine equal parts. Within the field of vision or the scope of the lens, the photographer imagines two horizontal lines and two vertical lines, which create the grid of thirds. Rather than center the subject of the photograph in a single flat plane, it is positioned at the intersections of the imagined grid.

The Balance of the Rule of Thirds

Leaving your subject in the middle of a frame is sometimes necessary but often not the most interesting composition. This is especially true with horizontal portraits. For example, the Texas cowboy image captures the subject off-center, drawing the viewer’s eye naturally to the background details, such as the wooden fence and the open field, which add depth to the photograph. Similarly, in the Steve Martin portrait, the subject is framed using the Rule of Thirds, emphasizing his contemplative expression while balancing the red roses in the background. Sometimes, however, Michael Grecco uses tension by positioning the subject at the edge of the frame.

Texas cowboy photographed by Michael Grecco

Steve Martin’s portrait photographed by Michael Grecco

Robert Altman portrait photographed by Michael Grecco

Kate DelCastillo photographed by Michael Grecco

Photography as Art: Breaking the Rule of Thirds

Photography is both a craft and an art. Photographers often break the Rule of Thirds to fulfill their creative intent. The photograph of the gymnast mid-flip challenges the rule by placing the subject in motion within the upper third of the frame, capturing dynamic tension against the symmetrical building background.

Gymnast mid-flip photographed by Michael Grecco

In urban landscape photography, symmetry often dominates. The yellow and red abstract composition intentionally uses the Rule of Thirds as well as relies on bold geometric shapes to create visual interest. Similarly, the metallic curves of the urban walkway play with reflections and symmetry, demonstrating how breaking the rules can lead to striking results.

New York photographed by Michael Grecco

Urban Walkway photographed by Michael Grecco

Learning from the Rule of Thirds

Beginning photographers or hobbyists seeking to emulate professional photographers should study the Rule of Thirds. The concept aligns with the natural scan of the eye. For instance, the album cover of Sara Andon and Simone Pedroni’s Cinema Morricone employs the grid to frame the subjects while incorporating dynamic lighting and shadows to enhance storytelling. By aligning key visual elements with the grid intersections, photographers can guide viewers’ attention and create balanced compositions.

The album cover of Sara Andon and Simone Pedroni’s Cinema Morricone photographed by Michael Grecco

Decoding the Rule of Thirds: Beyond Basic Composition

Throughout his career, Michael Grecco has embraced and reinvented photographic rules, including the Rule of Thirds. By using negative space, symmetry, and dynamic compositions, he challenges traditional notions of balance.

The Rule of Thirds is a valuable guideline, but its power lies in understanding when and how to break it. Whether adhering to or defying it, photographers continue to push the boundaries of this classic principle, creating images that resonate with emotion and artistic depth.