The rule of thirds is probably one of the most well-known photography guidelines. It involves dividing your image into 9 imaginary segments with 2 vertical and 2 horizontal lines. The intersections of these lines and the lines themselves define the most important areas of your photo composition.

When taking a photo, imagine that the shot is divided into thirds and try to position elements along the grid lines and at their intersections. Doing this will result in well-balanced and eye-catching photographs. Some cameras even have a setting that overlays a grid over the image, helping photographers compose their pictures with less effort.

If you missed the perfect photo op, don't worry — you can always crop your images with the rule of thirds effect.^[1]