Podcasts · Photography Explained Podcast
Composition Made Simple: The Rule of Thirds for Beginners
· 22 min · Episode 221
Episode Composition Made Simple: The Rule of Thirds for Beginners
Send us Fan Mail
📸 Photography Explained Podcast - Episode 221
🎯 Composition Made Simple: The Rule of Thirds for Beginners
Host: Rick McEvoy 🇬🇧 | Duration: ⏱️ 23 minutes
⚡ What Is This?
The Rule of Thirds is a cheat code 🎮 that instantly makes your photos more interesting. Divide your frame into 9 equal parts (like noughts and crosses), place your subject on the lines or intersection points, and watch your photos transform.
Works for cameras 📷 and phones 📱. No jargon. Just results.
🎓 The 7 Essential Tips
📍 1. Position Your Subject
Put eyes on intersection points for portraits. Near the line is fine.
🏔️ 2. Landscape Horizons
Interesting sky? → Horizon on lower third Interesting foreground? → Horizon on upper third
🏃 3. Action & Movement
Give moving subjects space to move into the frame.
⚠️ 4. Avoid These Mistakes
• Don't obsess over pixel-perfect alignment • Don't forget about your background • Don't use it mindlessly
🔓 5. When to Break the Rule
Symmetry, patterns, and tight portraits often work better centered.
🔗 6. Combine with Other Techniques
Use with leading lines, negative space, and framing.
🏛️ 7. Architectural Photography
Position buildings on vertical lines. Keep verticals vertical.
📋 Quick Recap
The Grid: 2 horizontal + 2 vertical lines = 9 equal parts The Power Points: 4 intersection points where lines cross The Default: Use it for everything until you know when to break it
🎬 Your Challenge
1️⃣ Turn on your grid (Settings → Camera → Grid) 2️⃣ Take 3 photos using the Rule of Thirds 3️⃣ Take the same 3 photos centered 4️⃣ Compare and see the difference
📱 Phone Users
iPhone: Settings → Camera → Grid ✅ Android: Camera app → ⚙️ → Grid Lines ✅
Pro Tip: Tap to focus on intersection points = perfect focus + composition! 🎯
🔗 More Episodes
📻 220: The Photographer's Eye - See Great Photos Before You Take Them 📻 218: Train Your Eye - Master Photography Right Where You Are 📻 217: The Art of Light - From Harsh to Heavenly
🚀 Next Week: Episode 222
The Best of The Photography Explained Podcast: 20 Essential Tips
Rick's going through 220+ episodes to pull out the absolute best. Can't wait! 🤩
🔗 Connect with Rick
🌐 RickMcEvoyPhotography.com ▶️ YouTube: Search "Rick McEvoy" 🎓 Course: How to Become a Real Estate Photographer 📧 Weekly emails | 💬 Text Rick from the podcast feed
🥪 Episode Sponsor
Cheese and pickle sandwich 🥪 + Coke Zero 🥤
Consumed in Rick's homemade, acoustically cushioned recording emporium 🎙️
🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!
How utterly splendid! 🤩
Take care and stay safe. 🛡️ Cheers from Rick! 🍻
📸 Photography Explained Podcast - Making photography simple, one episode at a time.
Support the show
Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick
Links in the notes 8
- https://www.buzzsprout.com/1243889/fan_mail/new
- https://rickmcevoyphotography.com/blog/photographers-eye-see-great-photo-before-you-take-it
- https://rickmcevoyphotography.com/blog/train-your-eye-master-photography-right-where-you-are
- https://rickmcevoyphotography.com/blog/the-art-of-light-from-harsh-to-heavenly
- https://rickmcevoyphotography.com/
- https://rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses
- https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Rickmcevoy
- https://rickmcevoyphotography.com
Chapters
Transcript
Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them. Explicit shows are for adult profiles only, and children’s profiles hear only children’s shows. More about this list.