rule of thirds
Grid-based framing technique
The rule of thirds is a compositional guideline in photography and visual art.
Imagine a grid dividing the frame into nine equal rectangles with two horizontal and two vertical lines.
Placing subjects along these lines or at their intersections creates more dynamic, balanced images than centering would: She positioned the horizon on the lower third.
Arranged elements forming whole
- framingStructural or contextual shaping
- gridFramework of intersecting lines
- focal pointCenter of interest
- viewfinderCamera's composition window
leading lines · negative space · cropping · depth of field · aperture · exposure · bokeh · vantage point
Absence of balanced form
- visual weightPerceived mass in composition
- focal pointCenter of interest
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- tensionStretched or strained state
eye movement · anchor · emphasis · proportion · dynamic · interest · structure · placement
Heavy woven cloth
- brushworkPainter's stroke method
- landscapeVisible features of terrain
- portraitArtistic depiction of someone
- still lifeArt of inanimate objects
figurative · abstract · perspective · foreground · background · focal point · negative space · cropping
composition
Arranged elements forming whole
- framingStructural or contextual shaping
- gridFramework of intersecting lines
- focal pointCenter of interest
viewfinder · leading lines · negative space · cropping · depth of field · aperture · exposure · bokeh · vantage point · landscape
asymmetry
Absence of balanced form
- visual weightPerceived mass in composition
- focal pointCenter of interest
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
tension · eye movement · anchor · emphasis · proportion · dynamic · interest · structure · placement · intersection
canvas
Heavy woven cloth
- brushworkPainter's stroke method
- landscapeVisible features of terrain
- portraitArtistic depiction of someone
still life · figurative · abstract · perspective · foreground · background · focal point · negative space · cropping · texture
grid
Framework of intersecting lines
- layoutSpatial arrangement of elements
- wireframeEdge-only geometric model
- mockupPreliminary design representation
prototype · interface · webpage · UI · UX · typography · spacing · alignment · visual hierarchy · navigation
- designdesign principles, functionality, emphasis, unity, graphic design
- graphic designlogo, font, typography, layout, color
- photographycamera, photo, flash, lens, shooting
- compositionbalance, symmetry, asymmetry, proportion, layout
- design elementscolor, motif, shape, font choice, symmetry
- threestrio, triad, triple, triplet, trinity