What is the rule of thirds?

The rule of thirds is a guideline used by photographers and visual artists that an image should be seen as divided into nine equal parts by two horizontal lines and two vertical lines. For example, a picture showing the sky often depicts the horizon on the top or bottom line.

The rule of thirds creates a sense of complexity and balance within an image, whether it is a photograph or a painting. While it is one of the more well-known compositional techniques, the rule of thirds is not universally applied. Many visual artists occasionally break the rule when they believe doing so adds to their work.