Rule of Thirds

Tips & Tricks

January 12, 2018

This week for Project 52 week 2 Rule of thirds.  Do you know what rule of thirds means? Most people don’t, so don’t feel bad if you didn’t.

The rule of thirds is applied by aligning a subject with the guidelines and their intersection points, placing the horizon on the top or bottom line, or allowing linear features in the image to flow from section to section.

A lot of people who go to take a picture instinctively put your subject in the center and take the image. This isn’t a bad thing. In fact like this example below I’ve placed my subject in the center, however, I provided a little more scenery to capture above his head.

Dog Portraits using a photography concept using Rule of thirds

One might argue that this may not fully be rule of 3rds. If I was to be completely technical I would have pulled in the crop from the top until his body and head were in the bottom 2/3’s of the diagram.  I tried that route but I felt I lost too much of the tree that shaped him perfectly.

You know what’s great about art.  You’re the artist and YOU decide.

Dog Portraits using a photography concept using Rule of thirdsThis photography concept can be hard to accept for someone that likes symmetry.

Can you visualize the lines in the picture below?

Dog Portraits using a photography concept using Rule of thirds

Dog Portraits using a photography concept using Rule of thirds

Dog Portraits using a photography concept using Rule of thirds

Dog Portraits using a photography concept using Rule of thirds

Dog Portraits using a photography concept using Rule of thirds

Dog Portraits using a photography concept using Rule of thirds

Dog Portraits using a photography concept using Rule of thirds

Check your camera, it may have guides that can be turned on to help you create this technique.  Don’t forget to break the rules once and awhile.

If you’re wanting to book a session at

Wag to My Heart don’t wait!!!

Life goes by way to fast to postponed capturing your legacy

It wouldn’t be a blog circle without additional blogs, so head on over to:

Mikahla Dorey of Brackson Photography; Pet & Equine Photographer in Nova Scotia, Canada.

  1. Tracy Allard says:

    I love how you told a story with the scenery, really enhancing the pups; all around lovely.

  2. Kelly says:

    Beautiful examples using the rule of thirds. I love the b&w image! 🙂

  3. Nancy says:

    Great post! Awe, I so love that action shot with the ball! So much fun!

  4. Thank you! The location was amazing and the weather was amazing.

  5. Darlene says:

    Beautiful location and love your examples. Love the last image – the pure joy captured and great composition with the rule of thirds!

  6. Kona was a great model and the location was to die for. I wish it was in my neighborhood.

  7. Shelly Ellis says:

    all your images were beautiful, but I too am a sucker for black and white. Kona is beautiful

    • I love a good black and white image as well. My husband jokes that I would turn every image b/w. I assured him it doesn’t look good on every image. Sometimes it just works.

  8. Sandra mccarthy says:

    My favorite is the one jumping up for his toy.

  9. I love the “catch”!

  10. Elaine says:

    Such great skies! Loved your examples. I really like the far-away shot with woman and dog on the right vertical line.

  11. Sam Adele says:

    Great post! Really enjoyed reading it, and love how you had the reader visualising the guide lines!

  12. Linda Perdue says:

    Love the black and white! Nice photos, great sunny days….I look forward to having some of those again.

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