Rule of Thirds: How To Use For Better Landscape Photos

This article is all about understanding the rule of thirds and how to use it to improve your landscape photography.

Landscape photography isn’t just about capturing what you see; it’s about presenting it in a way that resonates.

A key player in this game of visual storytelling is the Rule of Thirds. It’s not a flashy trick, but a reliable old friend in the world of composition.

It’s one of the most commonly used composition techniques by not just beginners, but also professionals.

In this article, we’ll look at how you can use the rule of thirds and get you started on improving your composition.

Before we get started, I wanted to share my FREE Landscape Photography Toolkit with you.

It’s packed with practical tips and checklists to help you capture beautiful scenes with more confidence, starting NOW!

Promotional graphic for a 'Landscape Photography Toolkit' featuring a sunset view of a lighthouse. The toolkit includes an Exposure Quick Start Guide, 7 Practical Checklists & Info Sheets, and an On-The-Go Camera Settings Cheat Sheet. A 'Free Download' badge is present, and a button at the bottom reads 'Send Me The Toolkit'.

Table of Contents

A Note on Composition

Just before we get into the Rule of Thirds specifically, I just wanted to touch on how important composition is in landscape photography.

Composition is basically where you place the elements of your scene in your photo. It’s one of the key ingredients to telling a story with your image.

To quote Photography Life, Composition is “simply the arrangement of the elements in your photo.”

It’s often argued whether light or composition is more important for making compelling images, and there’s no simple right or wrong. As far as I’m concerned, both are game changers when it comes to taking an image from ok to great.

You can have great light, but you’re not telling a story with your composition, then the image will just be ok.

The same with composition. You can’t always be photographing with great light, but you still can make a compelling image with your composition.

It’s one thing to have a photo that’s perfect from a technical perspective. Your image can be well exposed, and you have an interesting subject, but it’s the composition that can have a huge visual impact.

There are various compositional techniques that you can either use alone or combine for more interesting images. This article focuses on the Rule of Thirds, but check out this article for more composition tips and techniques:

Coastal scene at sunrise with a watchtower on a rocky outcrop, accompanied by the text "Top Composition Techniques for Better Landscape Photos" at the bottom.

So, back to the Rule of Thirds …

What is the Rule of Thirds in Landscape Photography?

First up, I didn’t call it the ‘Rule’ of thirds and at the end of the day there really aren’t any ‘rules’ in photography, but that’s what it’s called, so I’ll go with it.

So please look at the Rule of Thirds as a guideline. Photography after all is a creative art and you don’t want to have that creativity stifled by rules. More on that later.

Having said that, it is a powerful technique that will help you create images.

So, how does it work?

Picture your frame split into a grid of thirds, both horizontally and vertically, creating four points of interest.

These are your anchors.

An infographic explaining the Rule of Thirds, showing a grid with four intersections where subjects are ideally placed for balanced composition

Placing the key elements of your landscape – maybe the rugged silhouette of a mountain or the gentle curve of a coastline – at these points or along these lines, can turn a flat scene into a story with depth and feeling.

The goal is to avoid placing elements in the centre of your frame. Instead, your subject, or hero ‘should’ be placed at one of the points where these lines intersect.

Just like this:

A scenic coastal landscape during sunrise with a "Rule of Thirds" grid overlay. The image features a rocky shoreline in the foreground, a calm sea in the middle, and cliffs on the right side, with the sky painted in shades of orange, pink, and purple. The grid helps illustrate the "Rule of Thirds" composition technique, dividing the image into nine equal parts to guide the placement of key elements. — Example using the rule of thirds with the horizon line placed at the top third, breaking up the image and emphasising the foreground

Please note though that it’s not an exact science, so no getting out your measuring tape!

It’s about placing your elements in these ‘areas’ so they create a more visually pleasing image that guides the viewer through your image.

Why is the Rule of Thirds Important?

The Rule of Thirds is important mostly because it helps to create a well-balanced and visually appealing image.

Here are a few reasons why:

It makes for pleasing aesthetics for lack of a better term. By placing your subject off-centre, the image becomes more dynamic and interesting.
It can create balance when you have a lot of negative space in your image. The key elements can take up a third of your scene, while balancing out the ‘empty’ areas in the rest of your image.
It helps you to take the viewer on a ‘visual journey’ through your image. The viewer will be immediately drawn to the subject, and then looks throughout the rest of your image. If the subject was to be in the middle, their eye would simply see that and not know where to look next.

Rocky beach with dramatic rock formations and birds flying overhead under a cloudy sky.

Working With the Rule of Thirds

Just reading about how the Rule of Thirds works may not be very helpful, so let’s work through an example of how it actually works.

A lone tree standing on a rocky shoreline under a pink and purple sunset sky

The image above is an example of when the Rule of Thirds has been applied.

Hopefully you can see that the base of the tree has been placed at the bottom right intersection. In order to avoid too much negative space, I’ve framed the tree so that parts of it are also crossing over into the sunrise.

In order to achieve a better-balanced image, the lower left corner has been left relatively. Anything placed there would take attention away from the lone tree.

One more thing with this image is that the horizon is also placed on the lower third horizontal line, just at the base of the tree. This was also done to place it along the intersecting grid.

You usually want to avoid placing the horizon or your main subject in the centre of your image.

Using the Rule of Thirds Practically on Location

Now that we’ve covered the basic concept of the Rule of Thirds and how you can use it to create more compelling images, let’s look at using it practically on location.

Most cameras come equipped with built-in grid guides, a practical feature that helps you integrate this composition technique seamlessly into your photography.

Usually found in the camera’s menu, this grid helps you align key elements of your scene, like a captivating horizon or an architectural detail, with its intersections or lines. This can subtly enhance the visual appeal of your photos.

For landscape photography, this grid is especially useful.

Positioning the horizon off-centre, in line with the top or bottom third, can add depth and interest to your images.

The grid lines, visible in your viewfinder or on your screen, assist in achieving this balanced composition.

It also helps you to ensure your horizon line is straight – bonus!

Sun setting behind the Three Sisters rock formation in the Blue Mountains, casting an orange glow over the landscape

Embracing the Rule of Thirds in Post-Processing

In the world of digital photography, what we capture in-camera is just the beginning.

Sure, we strive to get our composition spot on at the moment of capture, but sometimes the true potential of an image reveals itself later, in post-processing.

For instance, while I often use Lightroom Classic, most editing software today offers similar features.

One of my go-to tools is the Rule of Thirds grid overlay, particularly useful when cropping. It’s not just about correcting compositions; sometimes, it’s about reimagining them.

Your camera might capture in a 2:3 ratio, but what if your image looks more striking as a square?

Cropping can be a creative choice, not just a fix.

But here’s a piece of advice: when you’re cropping, keep an eye on the details.

Over-cropping can lead to pixelation and might highlight any small issues like camera shake or focus imperfections.

This is especially crucial if you’re thinking of printing your photos large.

While post-processing offers great creative freedom, it’s all about using it wisely to enhance your image, not to compromise its quality.

In essence, post-processing with the Rule of Thirds is about refining your vision.

It’s an opportunity to transform a good photo into the exact image you envisaged, whether that means a slight tweak or a bold re-crop.

3 Tips for Working With the Rule of Thirds in Landscape Photography:

Balancing the Horizon:

In your landscape shots, think about where you place the horizon. Instead of the centre, aim for the top or bottom third of your frame.

Which part of your scene is more captivating? If it’s the sky, let it dominate by placing the horizon lower. If the ground holds the intrigue, lift that horizon up. This simple shift can dramatically change the feel of your photo.

Positioning Your Subject:

When it comes to your main subject, avoid dead centre. Use the vertical lines of the thirds grid as your guide. Placing your subject on these lines, preferably at the points where they intersect, creates a more natural and engaging composition.

Giving Space to Movement:

If your subject is on the move – say, a bird in flight or a person walking – position them with room to move into.

Place them towards the edge of the frame that they are moving towards. This not only adds a sense of motion but also tells a story of where they’re headed.

Do you have to follow the rule of thirds?

Let’s get one thing straight: you don’t always have to stick to the Rule of Thirds.

Photography isn’t about rigidly adhering to rules, and sometimes, following them too closely can actually take away from your images.

I got into photography, and I bet you did too, for the freedom and creativity it offers.

That’s why knowing when to bend or even break the rules can be just as important as following them.

Understanding these guidelines, like the Rule of Thirds, is crucial because they do have the potential to enhance your images significantly.

But it’s the knowing and understanding of these rules that empowers you to step beyond them when the situation calls for it.

When Not to Use the Rule of Thirds

There are moments in photography when the Rule of Thirds might not be your best bet.

Take, for example, scenes with striking symmetry. Centering these objects can often create a more powerful impact than offsetting them would.

And then there are those times when your image revolves around leading lines or natural frames within the scene.

In these instances, deviating from the Rule of Thirds can lead to some truly captivating shots.

Some of my personal favourite images feature the main subject right at the centre or the horizon line slicing the frame in half.

The key is not to let the Rule of Thirds confine your creativity.

Relying on it too heavily can stifle your photographic growth. It’s about striking a balance: know the rules well enough to use them effectively, but also know when it’s time to step out of that framework and let your creativity lead the way.

Make these choices deliberately, guided by your artistic intuition, not by mere chance.

The Rule of Thirds is a great starting point, but it’s just one part of the composition story.

It’s well-loved for its simplicity and effectiveness, but remember, there’s a whole array of other techniques out there waiting for you.

Snow-capped mountains reflected in a serene lake during a vibrant pink and orange sunset. — An image like this with reflections is a perfect example of when to break the rule of thirds

The Rule of Thirds is a nice and simple way to bring a new level of interest to your photos, guiding the eye and enhancing the overall composition.

If you’ve typically centred your subjects, trying out this rule could be a real eye-opener.

It’s also interesting to apply it to some of your older photos and see the difference it makes.

But it’s crucial to remember that the Rule of Thirds is just a guideline.

It’s there to serve your vision, not to limit it.

Embrace it, get familiar with it, and then, when you feel ready, don’t be afraid to let your creativity lead you beyond it. Some of the most memorable images are created when we step outside the usual boundaries.

I hope you’ve found this piece helpful and that it sparks some new ideas in your photography journey.

That’s it for now