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| Tulip among Grape Hyacinth Frenchtown, Montana |
Where we choose to place the main subject within the picture frame is another important decision. Putting the subject off center---away from the middle---provides variety among our pictures. The asymmetry gives the viewer's eye other areas in the photo to explore.
A guide to this practice is called the Rule of Thirds and is based on a grid of four lines that look like a tic-tac-toe board. You can display this grid as an overlay on both traditional cameras and smartphones. Look for "grid" in the camera's menus or phone's settings and turn it on. The grid does not appear in the final picture, only in the display.
To use the grid, adjust the camera position so the main subject falls along one of the horizontal or vertical lines or where the lines intersect. Below is a photo showing the grid overlay. I positioned the tulip so the bud is along the left line of the grid and near the intersection of the top and left lines.
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| Rule of Thirds grid overlay |
Frequently in a landscape shot, the horizon is placed either along the bottom line to leave more room for the sky or along the top line to leave more space for the land. Experiment with where you put the subject using the grid as a guide.
Get help making better pictures with your camera or phone in my photography classes at The Lifelong Learning Center in Missoula, Montana. Click here for descriptions and registration.