Point a camera at something interesting and you've got a video. Point it with purpose, and suddenly you're telling a story. The difference? Understanding composition—the deliberate arrangement of visual elements that guides your viewer's eye exactly where you want it to go.

The 'rule of thirds' dates back to an 18th-century painter named John Thomas Smith. Since then, this simple guideline has become the not-so-secret weapon for framing everything from Renaissance paintings to TikTok videos. It's one of those fundamental techniques that videographers, cinematographers, and photographers all use—whether they admit it or not.

If you've been winging it with your framing until now, no judgment here. This guide will walk you through the rule of thirds with practical examples, so you can start creating more visually compelling videos right away—even if film school isn't on your agenda.

A brief look at the rule of thirds origins

While the exact origins of the rule of thirds are unclear, the concept can be traced back to early attempts at balancing visual elements in art. Some believe the principle emerged from analyzing how viewers naturally gravitate to focal points within an image. Others credit an 18th-century painter named John Thomas Smith for popularizing the idea. Regardless of start date, the rule quickly became a trademark technique for creatives seeking to guide the viewer’s eye across a composition. It rests on the notion that dividing a frame into thirds produces a more natural arrangement. Once introduced, it spread to diverse fields from painting to modern filmmaking, demonstrating its timeless appeal.

What is the rule of thirds?

The rule of thirds involves mentally creating equally spaced vertical and horizontal lines on a potential shot or image, then placing points of interest on this grid's lines and intersection points. The theory is that this composition technique will create more visually pleasing and balanced images that naturally draw the viewer's eye to key elements.

Comparing the rule of thirds to the golden ratio

The golden ratio is often labeled the divine proportion and sits at approximately 1.618:1. It’s rooted in the Fibonacci sequence and has long been revered in art, architecture, and photography. Unlike the rule of thirds, which divides the frame into nine equal squares, the golden ratio creates a more asymmetrical layout. According to this photography guide, both methods aim for visually appealing compositions, though the golden ratio can appear more nuanced. As noted in some critiques, clinging too rigidly to one formula rarely guarantees a masterpiece. Ultimately, your creative goals and context should drive whether you use precise math or the simpler grid-based rule of thirds.

Why is the rule of thirds so effective?

When filmmaking or engaging in any visual art, composition allows you to tell an entire story with one picture. You know the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words”? Mastering video composition is how you create that thousand-word story.

The idea behind the rule of thirds is that putting the main subject dead center in the frame makes images feel unnatural and static. Placing subjects off-center along the grid lines or at intersection points allows viewers to interact with the negative space in a picture. It also creates a more dynamic relationship between the subject and background, thereby making a more interesting and engaging composition overall.

Consider one of the most captivating paintings of all time, the Mona Lisa. Its creator, Leonardo da Vinci, used the rule of thirds by placing Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile along the horizontal line that divides the upper third of the painting, drawing the viewer's eye naturally to this focal point.

How to use the rule of thirds step by step

The rule of thirds is fairly simple for static shots, but it gets more complicated when dealing with moving pictures in film production. Since there's movement, you need to consider how a subject moves across and through the frame using camera angles and depth of field. Here's a step-by-step guide for using the rule of thirds in film.

1. Imagine the grid

First, imagine the horizontal and vertical lines of your rule of thirds grid. Most modern cameras, smartphones, and professional video equipment already have grid line overlays (or the option to enable them) built into the viewfinder or display to help you compose your shot.

2. Place key elements at intersections

Next, place the most important subject on the lines and nodes (intersections) of the grid you just created. These intersection points, sometimes called 'power points,' naturally attract the viewer's attention. Remember how you want your shot's focus to move through your frame.

For example, in the 2021 movie Dune, Denis Villeneuve draws the viewer's eye to the top third of the grid where the emperor's entourage disembarked from their ship. He slowly pans down as the emperor's messenger progresses down the carpet, keeping them in the top one-third of the shot.

3. Use balance and leading lines

Balance (or imbalance) helps draw your audience's eyes to different parts of the screen. It's also an excellent technique to show power dynamics or reveal characters' personality traits.

In the same Dune scene, Villeneuve creates balance by making the right and left of the frame almost perfectly symmetrical. He also uses the carpet as leading lines to further direct the viewer's eye, making the focal point of the shot the emperor's messenger.

4. Maintain proportions

Proportions keep things in frame, similar to how they'd appear in real life. For landscape shots, you'll want to position the horizon line either in the top third or the bottom third of the frame, never in the middle. When filming people, you'll want to keep their eyeline in the top third of the frame, leaving open space in the direction they're looking—this is called 'looking room' or 'nose room' in cinematography.

5. Experiment with different compositions

The best way to master the rule of thirds is to experiment. Try shooting the same scene multiple times and frame the shot differently every time—first using the rule of thirds, then placing your subject in the center of the frame, and perhaps even trying other composition techniques like the golden ratio. You'll experience firsthand how the rule of thirds makes films more interesting and visually engaging to watch.

When to break the rule of thirds

The rule of thirds is just a guideline, not an absolute law of composition. While it will help you tell stories more effectively in most situations, don't be afraid to break this rule if it makes the shot look better or serves your narrative purpose better.

Action scenes

Movie directors tend to break the rule of thirds when there's a lot of action in a particular scene because fast cuts make it harder to keep subjects lined up with gridlines. This is where post-production tools like Descript can help adjust composition after filming.

The action will also naturally draw the audience's eye, so it's more important to fully capture the movement—like here in Luc Besson's District B13, where he has the action happening smack dab in the middle of the frame.

Large or overwhelming subjects

It's common to break the rule of thirds when showing something large or an overwhelming force. Here in Dune, this shot of the emperor's elite soldiers, the Sardakur, gives the audience a sense of how many there are and how controlled and disciplined this force is.

Extreme close-ups

Extreme close ups are another reason to break the rule of thirds. In Little Miss Sunshine, there's an extreme close up of Olive as she watches the TV, showing a reflection of what's on the TV on her glasses. The close up makes the audience feel like they're getting inside Olive's mind as she begins to become affected by societal standards of beauty.

Rule of thirds examples in classic films

Look at any movie, and you'll see the rule of thirds in action. From indie filmmakers to Hollywood directors, editors will intercut shots that follow and break the rules to make the audience feel different emotions.

Here are a few examples of the rule of thirds from award-winning video productions.

The Shining

In the classic “Here's Johnny” scene in The Shining, director Kubrick uses the rule of thirds even during a closeup of Jack Nicholson's face. This draws our gaze to both his craze-filled eyes and maniacal grin, striking fear into the hearts of the audience.

Kubrick also breaks the rule of thirds in this film. He purposely frames a lot of his shots so everything is symmetrical—too symmetrical so that it feels unnatural to the audience. That acts as foreshadowing to show that something supernatural is happening in this hotel, which unconsciously puts the viewers on edge before anything even happens.

Lawrence of Arabia

In this scene from Lawrence of Arabia, Peter O'Toole and his guide steal a drink from Sherif Ali's well. The rule of thirds is used to show the vastness of the desert and the distant relationship and mistrust between Peter O'Toole and the guide.

2001: A Space Odyssey

The famous “Blue Danube” scene has ships floating and spinning through space on either the right or left third of the screen. That way, they can 'dance' across the frame. This shows the audience the beauty of space and gives them a false sense of serenity.

Gone with the Wind

Scarlett O'Hara is placed at the bottom third of the screen as the shot zooms out in this iconic Gone with the Wind scene. This shot mirrors one earlier in the movie where she stood on this hill with her father as they overlooked the richness of everything they possessed. But now it shows she's a single woman pitted against heaven and the world. It also shows her standing strong and centered, signifying her determination.

Pulp Fiction

The diner scene in Pulp Fiction uses the rule of thirds to create tension. It keeps the audience's eyes switching between each character. Even though it's only four points of interest, it feels like a lot is happening in this scene. This causes us to feel frantic as we take it all in, and makes us feel like Jules is talking to us when he tells Yolanda to stay cool.

The Revenant

When Hugh Glass tells Andrew Henry that he's going back out into the wilderness after almost dying, his eyes are framed on the right third of the screen, looking out into the no-man's land he came from. This framing shows that he has nothing to look forward to.

Create better videos with rule of thirds in Descript

Shot composition is important to any type of visual storytelling. The rule of thirds will help you create scenes that look more natural, balanced, and pleasing to the eye. But to really master this concept, you'll need to practice consistently and analyze how it's used in films and photography you admire.

Descript not only has a suite of video editing tools to help you practice filmmaking, but it also has audio editing features to create fully-produced, professional-quality films. You can even use Descript's grid overlays to help analyze and adjust your composition during the editing process.

You can:

• Add visual effects—even keyframe animation
• Edit from the automated transcript, making video production as easy as editing text
• Safeguard your original files thanks to non-destructive editing
• Use AI voices to fix audio mistakes by simply changing the text of the audio transcript
• Export and save your projects with the format and dimensions you want

Descript even offers a free version, so you don't have to wait to start practicing composition and mastering the rule of thirds.

Rule of thirds FAQs

What is the rule of thirds in filming interviews?

The rule of thirds is particularly helpful when framing the interviewee in documentary or interview footage. For off-camera interviews, frame the person talking with their eyeline at one of the top third nodes looking toward the opposite node. This gives a natural, professional look while providing 'looking room' in the direction they're facing.

Why might you break the rule of thirds in film?

In general, the rule of thirds is just a guideline, so if breaking this guideline serves the story of a film, that's when you will break this rule. A couple of examples include action sequences and extreme closeups.

What effect does the rule of thirds have?

Using the rule of thirds allows you to draw the audience's eye toward the points of interest you want them to focus on. It creates more dynamic, balanced compositions that feel natural to viewers while subtly guiding their attention. When used effectively, it becomes a powerful tool in visual storytelling and helps create more engaging, professional-looking content.

What is the difference between the rule of thirds and the golden ratio?

While the rule of thirds divides an image into nine equal parts, the golden ratio uses a 1.618:1 proportion for a more asymmetrical approach. People often find the golden ratio appealing because it reflects patterns found in nature. According to one resource, compositions based on the golden ratio can feel subtly more balanced. However, some photographers suggest relying on creative intuition more than strict math. Both methods serve to guide the viewer’s eye, so the better choice depends on your goals.

How do I apply the rule of thirds in different types of photography or filming?

Whether you’re shooting a portrait or filming a wide landscape, start by enabling the gridlines on your camera. Place important elements, like a subject’s eyes or a distinctive horizon, at the intersection points. This helps guide the viewer’s attention and adds visual harmony. You can also tweak your framing in post if it’s slightly off. The rule of thirds remains consistent across genres: use those lines to pull the audience’s focus where you want it most.

Can I use the rule of thirds in post-production?

Yes, you can reposition a shot by cropping or adjusting perspective after the fact. By aligning key subjects near the intersection points, you can better highlight your focal areas without reshooting. According to some experts, subtle compositional tweaks often boost the overall visual impact. However, be mindful that heavy cropping may reduce image quality. In the end, the goal of post-production edits is to direct the viewer’s eye exactly where you need it.