Title: Small-Town Photo Tour Idea #7: Rule of Thirds

The seventh idea is to use the rule of thirds

The "Rule of Thirds" is a widely used composition technique in photography where the subject is positioned at the intersection points of a tic-tac-toe grid or along the grid lines. By experimenting with different subject placements within the grid, you can create varied and interesting compositions. It's worth taking the same photo without using the Rule of Thirds and comparing the results to understand the impact of this technique. Give it a try and see how it can elevate your photography skills!

The Rule of Thirds is a trick known by many, from people who are new to photography to those who've been doing it for years. But sometimes, it can be both overused and not used enough. Even though the rule is pretty easy to follow, there's more to it than just putting your subject on a line or where the lines cross.

Let's say you put a person who is standing up on the left line of the grid. If the person is looking to the left, there's going to be a lot of empty space on the right. Depending on what else is in the photo, this might not make the best picture.

So, while the Rule of Thirds is a handy tool, using it well involves more than just following the lines. It's about making a picture that looks balanced and interesting to look at.

Mastering the Rule of Thirds takes a lot of practice and trying new things. When you come across a cool scene you want to photograph, play around with different ways to use the Rule of Thirds in your shot.

Mode:
Any mode you choose, this is about composition, not exposure.

Aperture:
Any you choose, this is about composition, not exposure.

ISO:
Any you choose, this is about composition, not exposure.

Shutter Speed:
Any you choose, this is about composition, not exposure.

Focal Length:
Use different focal lengths or use your feet to get the right composition to satisfy the rule of thirds.