Tip 3: The rule of thirds
Take a look at your photos – if you see a trend where your subjects are all in the center of the frame, then this tip is for you!
The rule of thirds is a guideline that will help you better compose your images. It may feel unnatural at first, but the rule of thirds suggests placing your subject off-center rather than having them centered in the photo.
When taking a photo, imagine a tic-tac-toe board drawn on your LCD screen, where there are two vertical lines and two horizontal lines. The rule of thirds states that when composing your photo, you should try to place your subject on or near one of the lines, with the main focal point as close to one of the points where two lines intersect each other.
Here’s an example from TakeGreatPictures.com: http://www.takegreatpictures.com/Rule_of_Thirds_by_John_Beebe.fci
Some digital cameras also give you the ability to display these grid lines on your LCD automatically. Check your manual to see if this option is available on your digital camera.
For example, if you happen to use the Samsung HZ15W, you can turn on the camera’s grid lines by switching to the “P” (Program) or “M” (Manual) mode. Simply rotate the mode dial to “P” or “M” and then press the “square” icon which is located on the top of the five-way mode dial. This will display the grid lines on the HZ15W’s LCD screen so that you can better practice the rule of thirds while shooting.
Break an old habit and follow the rule of thirds – after a while you’ll find yourself automatically following this great composition tip to help you capture more memorable and moving photos!
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