Photography and Composition: The Rule Of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds is a way of composing photographs in which points of interest in the photograph are positioned in a way that brings focus to them and is aesthetically pleasing.You divide your photo into a grid of nine squares (two horizontal lines splitting the rectangle into thirds and two vertical lines doing the same). The Rule of Thirds states that points of interest in your photo should be positioned on the points of intersection of these lines (four points), or on the lines themselves.

Despite the many people, this photo's focal point is clearly the guy leaning against the wall. The Rule of Thirds accomplishes this because the guy's body aligns with the left vertical line and his head lies directly on the left upper point of intersection. Perhaps less obvious is that the right vertical line neatly cuts across the photo precisely at the left edge of the blonde girl. The people's dark suits contrast with the light grey concrete, bringing dramatic emphasis to the photo. 

In this photo, the guy on the left is on the vertical line in the Rule of Thirds Grid. He is in focus whereas the people at the traffic  lights across the street are out of focus, and this picture creates a real sense of space with the small size of the people crossing the rode compared to the focal person of the shot. There is a sense of unity in the photo as the two guys are both looking at their papers.

There is a sense of symmetry here due to the two people facing each other and both lying on the two vertical lines of the Rule of Thirds grid. This adds emphasis to what appears to be a serious conversation. Furthermore the girl's face is on the upper left point of intersection, drawing attention to her interested, slightly ambiguous, facial expression. 

The focal point of this photo is the guy to the right, due to the small aperture, and the fact the crisp edge of his face lies on the right vertical "Rule of Thirds" line. His focus and attention (he is in focus) contrasts with the distraction of the girl to the right (who is more out of focus). The edge if the black chair (color contrast with the background of the photo) lies on the bottom horizontal "Rule of Thirds" line. The man in the background, to the right, also lies on a vertical line, so one could debate whether he is the person the main guy is looking at. 

This photo makes good use of the Rule of Thirds. The center of the  girl's face lies exactly on the upper left intersection. Also, the round, gold sign, which says "Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento", lies on the right vertical line with the wall line matching up with this line exactly. The image also makes use of the movement with the guy on the left clearly walking, depicted by the motion blur - creating a sense of urgency which is reinforced by the fact that the two people to the right are staring at him as he moves. 

This photo is similar to the third one in that it has two focal points - the two people - lying on the two vertical lines of the "Rule of Thirds" grid. This equal spacing creates creates a sense of symmetry and harmony between the subjects. 

[Photos from Mock Trial State Finals in Sacramento]