The rule of thirds is such a common compositional tool that camera manufacturers even build it into their cameras as an overlay for easy application. And while it is useful, if you rely on it exclusively, you could be doing your photography a real disservice. This excellent video essay discusses some issues with the rule of thirds and why you need to move past it to really discover your full creative voice.
Coming to you from Andrew Goodcamera, this insightful video essay discusses the rule of thirds and why it can be a bit limiting if you become overly reliant on it. No doubt, the rule of thirds is so ubiquitous because it is a useful tool, particularly as a heuristic when you need to quickly get a well-balanced image. However, we (including non-photographers) are so used to seeing images composed via the rule of thirds that it can end up being a little boring and box your creative voice in a bit. Of course, that is not to say you should chuck it out the window and never use it again, but consider factors like light and color, balance, positive and negative space, leading lines, and much more before you resort to it. Often, you will find a more interesting and compelling composition this way. Check out the video above for the full rundown.
