Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is the positioning of objects in your photograph. If the subject of the picture of within certain lines it can give the image more effect.

For example, the video I've included shows a bottle. The bottle is positioned just inside the right hand vertical line so that it's focus is more central, then I've kept the label split into four via the top right hot spot. The angle of the photo creates a dominating effect, as if this bottle holds more power, almost an icon of structure and definition.

The photo of Geri Halliwell keeps her on the right hand side but her right eye is positioned on the top right hot spot to keep the focus and places her mouth central to the photograph.

The next photo of the tree and houses focuses right on the centre of the image. I used the houses below the bottom horizontal line as a base line as the horizon isn't clearly visible in this photo due to the weather, then i positioned the house to the right of the right line and the tree to the left of the left line. By doing this, it makes the centre of the photo the more focal area, encouraging the viewer to look into the distance, which also emphasises the weather.

The photograph of the Rachel Stevens poster was taken as a representation of a professional photograph. As you can see, the photographer has kept her entire head in the top centre box, her right breast is places on the top left hot spot and her elbow is on the bottom right hot spot. By doing this, the photographer has created a more powerful image, focusing our attention on her slim figure (by placing her slim waist line on the bottom horizontal line) and her facial features.

The final photograph uses the horizon line on the top horizontal line and the focus of the picture os the tree as I've placed it on the right vertical line.

When filming video, the rule of thirds is used to align someone up with a vertical line and then as they move, there's space in front of them so that it doesn't make the person seem surrounded by too much background.