For those more inclined to read. Here’s the video transcription.

Hey there. My name is Thien A. Pham and in this tutorial, I will show you how to use the rule of thirds to make your framing and composition more interesting.

The rule of thirds suggests you do two things.

One is to divide your frame or composition into nine equal parts using two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines.

Two is to place important compositional elements and subjects along these lines or their intersections.

Let’s use this as an example. Instead of placing the main subject right at the center of the frame, pan or tilt your camera so that the main subject is on one of these lines or intersection points. This will make your composition much more interesting.

And when it comes to close ups, it’s OK if you cut the top of a person’s head, but don’t cut off their chin.

The rule of thirds also applies when filming a moving subject. Place your subject so that the majority of the extra room is in front of your subject. In addition to creating energy, it also gives the perception that your subject has room to move.

What about landscapes ? Well, stick to the rule of thirds. Viewers will find this much more pleasing to look at if we place the main subject along one of these vertical lines. Another thing to pay attention to is the horizon line. Avoid placing it in the middle of your frame. You either place it near the bottom line like this, if the sky is interesting OR place it near the top line if the sky is boring.

To help you get started, check to see if your camera has guideframe overlays, and if they do, turn them on. The easiest way to learn though is to watch a lot of TV and movies and pay attention to the composition and framing. Your eyes will begin to pick up the rule of thirds in action, helping you understand composition and framing better.

As the saying goes, rules are meant be broken and the rule of thirds is not an exception. But remember, learn the rules before you break them.

That’s it for today. If you like the video, hit like or subscribe. Let me know if you’d like to see a tutorial on a particular subject in the comment area. My name is Thien A. Pham and thanks for watching.

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