ABSTRACT
The Rule of Thirds is a helpful tool for composition. At its most basic, one can take an image and divide it equally into nine parts. Typically for a scenic shot, the horizon will run parallel across the line on the bottom third of the frame. Keeping this in mind not only helps in creating a traditional composition but aids in the all-too-common problem of crooked horizons, an especially unpleasant visual when oceans or lakes are involved and the water is pouring out of the frame. Natural frames can create a 3-D depth and feel in our 2-D medium. Architectural elements and flora in particular can be utilized in the foreground to lead the viewer into a given scene. Silhouettes can be created at any time of day by finding a camera position that puts the subject of a shot against a bright background and adjusting the exposure controls.
