If there's one photography technique that's worth spending time learning, this is the one.
If you've played golf, this is the setup.
If you've put on makeup, this is the foundation.
The Rule of Thirds divides the horizontal and vertical space into 3 sections, forming 9 zones.
It's more pleasing to the eye to place your subject on the lines or where the lines intersect.
An example of the subject (my son reading his first comic book) being placed where the lines intersect can be seen above.
He's a big Spiderman fan for sure.
Here's one where the subject (my son again) can be seen on one of the lines.
Most sports moments happen too fast for the photographer to be concerned about the Rule of Thirds. Get the moment and then crop the image as needed in post production to follow the Rule of Thirds.
Portraits allow more time for the photographer to think about composition.
Don't lose any sleep if your subject isn't exactly on the line or where the lines intersect.
What's important is that now you know how to get your subject away from the center of the image.
Have fun shooting!
Images by Travis Bell