Breaking the rule of thirds Because we know that strict application of the rule of thirds calls for asymmetrical balance and off-center placement of the main subject, ignoring the rule tends to emphasize symmetry and centering. Of course, we’ve all heard the cautionary advice, “Never place the subject in the exact center of a photograph.” But we also know the word “never” doesn’t apply to composition. In most circumstances, centering the subject makes a photograph look unoriginal and devoid of imagination. But under certain conditions, the symmetry of a center-balanced design makes perfect sense. It costs you only a few extra minutes to experiment with a couple of different and unconventional options for a composition, even if only to satisfy your curiosity. Sometimes trying unusual arrangements leads to surprisingly good results. At other times, what happens in the viewfinder stays in the viewfinder. But it’s okay to test the rules. Situations appropriate to breaking the rule of thirds often involve clean, simple compositions with a singular subject and a plain 108
Focus On Composing Photos
or smooth background. With no other compositional elements to balance against the main subject, there’s no justification for off-center arrangement. In such cases, placing the subject left or right of center only wastes space and opens up a large empty area on one side of the photograph in which the viewer’s exploring eye will most likely get lost. It’s usually a good idea to get close and fill the frame with your subject when using a centering technique. Prominent patterns and textures also provide appropriate circumstances for compositional symmetry. Repeating lines and concentric shapes add rhythm and visual design to any scene.
Situations appropriate to breaking the rule of thirds often involve simple compositions with a singular subject, symmetrical arrangement of elements, or a plain background.
When the pattern extends beyond the edges of the frame on all four sides, its visual strength is amplified, creating symmetrical conditions perfect for a centralized subject. Using your main subject as the lone anomaly to break up a pattern provides a point of contrast and a place of brief rest for the viewer’s eye before it jumps back into the pattern again. A center-weighted composition that successfully breaks the rule of thirds builds dynamic tension into a photograph by introducing a subtle, unsettling element of surprise. Remember, when our brains find symmetry in situations where it’s not expected, we take pleasure in reconciling the irony of it.
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