The Rule of Thirds (ROT) is a strategy that pleases the eye, although the viewer might not realize why. It basically means dividing the image into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. When you aim the camera so the subject moves to any one of these points of intersection, it becomes more pleasing to the eye. Remember that this rule works both horizontally and vertically, so it may take some time to see things in both perspectives before you take a quick candid. Your results will be worthwhile! There are some other things to consider when you use this composition strategy. In a moment, we'll discuss the importance of balance and a few other elements of a great picture. For now, just know that when you're following the Rule of Thirds, you'll need to incorporate the other elements of the picture, too. If you have a lone subject in a picture with nothing to balance it, you might want to move the subject a bit closer to the center to avoid a so-called tipping-over effect. And as I mentioned, these are just guidelines. This is one that you can safely break if you have an exceptional subject that's best highlighted in the middle of an image.
0 
{K:2553} 10/17/2008