[FAQ]

I’m working on improving the composition of my video shots to make them look more professional and less like simple home videos. I keep hearing about the “rule of thirds” as a fundamental principle of good filmmaking.

Could someone give me a simple, clear explanation of what this rule actually is? And more importantly, why does following this rule generally make a shot look so much better and more cinematic than just putting the subject right in the centre of the screen?

[Jeff Bullas]

The rule of thirds is one of the most fundamental principles in visual composition, used across photography, art, and filmmaking. It is a simple guideline that helps you create more balanced, dynamic, and visually appealing shots.

First, let us explain what the rule is. The concept is to imagine that your video frame is divided into nine equal rectangles by two evenly spaced horizontal lines and two evenly spaced vertical lines, much like a tic-tac-toe grid. The rule of thirds suggests that you should place the most important elements of your shot along these lines, or at the points where these lines intersect.

Second, the reason this improves your composition is that placing a subject off-centre is generally more interesting and natural to the human eye than placing it directly in the middle of the frame. It creates a more dynamic composition and a better sense of balance. This use of “negative space” can also be used to imply direction or provide context for the subject.

Third, here are some practical examples for video. For a standard talking-head video, instead of placing yourself in the dead centre of the shot, you would position yourself so that your body aligns with either the left or the right vertical line. Your eyes should be roughly level with the top horizontal line. This is a much more standard and professional look than being perfectly centred. When filming a landscape, you would typically place the horizon on either the bottom or top horizontal line, not directly in the middle of the frame.

Fourth, the four points where the vertical and horizontal lines intersect are considered natural focal points. Placing a key subject of interest, such as a person’s eye or a small object, on one of these “power points” can create a very strong and pleasing composition.

It is important to remember that it is called the “rule” of thirds, but it is really a guideline, not a law that can never be broken. Deliberately breaking the rule by perfectly centring a subject can also be a powerful creative choice, often used to create a sense of symmetry, formality, or direct confrontation. However, it is always best to understand the rule before you choose to break it.

Most modern cameras and even smartphone camera apps have an option to display a grid overlay on the screen, which makes it very easy to apply the rule of thirds as you are filming.

Cheers,

Jeff

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