Production Skills - The Rule of Thirds (Landscape)

Our task was to take two still images, one where we used the rule of thirds and the other where we deliberately break it. The rule of thirds is a concept in video and film production in which the frame is divided into nine imaginary sections, as illustrated on the right. This creates reference points which acts as guides for framing the image. Points of interest should occur at 1/3 or 2/3 of the way up (or across) the frame, rather than in the centre. Like many of those rules of framing, this is not always necessary but we need to know why we use it before we break it.

Using the Rule of Thirds

The first image of the church is an example where we use the Rule of Thirds. If we placed a grid over the image we can see how the bell tower is placed on the top corner of square box inside the grid. By placing the tower on the line, it makes the audience focus on the tower more than the actual building itself. The tower becomes the main point of interest.

Not using the Rule of Thirds

In contrast, the second image of the church which does not use the rule of thirds is used for a reason. As the grid has not been used, it doesn't mean that the church doesn't become important but rather it becomes an establishing shot as the audience isn't forced to focus on any specific detail of the building.