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📸 Photography Explained Podcast - Episode 221

🎯 Composition Made Simple: The Rule of Thirds for Beginners

Host: Rick McEvoy 🇬🇧 | Duration: ⏱️ 23 minutes

⚡ What Is This?

The Rule of Thirds is a cheat code 🎮 that instantly makes your photos more interesting. Divide your frame into 9 equal parts (like noughts and crosses), place your subject on the lines or intersection points, and watch your photos transform.

Works for cameras 📷 and phones 📱. No jargon. Just results.

🎓 The 7 Essential Tips

📍 1. Position Your Subject

Put eyes on intersection points for portraits. Near the line is fine.

🏔️ 2. Landscape Horizons

Interesting sky? → Horizon on lower third
 Interesting foreground? → Horizon on upper third

🏃 3. Action & Movement

Give moving subjects space to move into the frame.

⚠️ 4. Avoid These Mistakes

• Don't obsess over pixel-perfect alignment
• Don't forget about your background
• Don't use it mindlessly

🔓 5. When to Break the Rule

Symmetry, patterns, and tight portraits often work better centered.

🔗 6. Combine with Other Techniques

Use with leading lines, negative space, and framing.

🏛️ 7. Architectural Photography

Position buildings on vertical lines. Keep verticals vertical.

📋 Quick Recap

The Grid: 2 horizontal + 2 vertical lines = 9 equal parts
The Power Points: 4 intersection points where lines cross
The Default: Use it for everything until you know when to break it

🎬 Your Challenge

1️⃣ Turn on your grid (Settings → Camera → Grid)
 2️⃣ Take 3 photos using the Rule of Thirds
 3️⃣ Take the same 3 photos centered
 4️⃣ Compare and see the difference

📱 Phone Users

iPhone: Settings → Camera → Grid ✅
Android: Camera app → ⚙️ → Grid Lines ✅

Pro Tip: Tap to focus on intersection points = perfect focus + composition! 🎯

🔗 More Episodes

📻 220: The Photographer's Eye - See Great Photos Before You Take Them
📻 218: Train Your Eye - Master Photography Right Where You Are
📻 217: The Art of Light - From Harsh to Heavenly

🚀 Next Week: Episode 222

The Best of The Photography Explained Podcast: 20 Essential Tips

Rick's going through 220+ episodes to pull out the absolute best. Can't wait! 🤩

🔗 Connect with Rick

🌐 RickMcEvoyPhotography.com
▶️ YouTube: Search "Rick McEvoy"
🎓 Course: How to Become a Real Estate Photographer
📧 Weekly emails | 💬 Text Rick from the podcast feed

🥪 Episode Sponsor

Cheese and pickle sandwich 🥪 + Coke Zero 🥤

Consumed in Rick's homemade, acousticall

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.com

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Thanks very much for listening

Cheers from me Rick