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Composition 101: Rule of Thirds and Leading Lines

A great camera doesn't take great photos—you do. Learn how to frame your shots for maximum impact.

Emma Wilson
2025-02-01
4 min read

Composition 101


You can have the most expensive camera in the world, but if your composition is boring, your photo will be boring. Here are two easy rules to instantly improve your shots.


The Rule of Thirds

Imagine a tic-tac-toe grid over your image.

  • Don't put your subject in the dead center.
  • Instead, place them where the lines intersect.
  • This creates a more balanced, natural-looking image.

    • Leading Lines

    Use natural lines in the environment to guide the viewer's eye to your subject.

  • **Examples:** Roads, fences, shorelines, bridges.
  • **Tip:** Get low to the ground to make the lines more dramatic.