Follow these simple rules to improve your smartphone video by three times.

What is the Rule of Thirds?

The Rule of Thirds is a technique that improves photo composition and creates visually appealing images in balance. This simple yet powerful method can be achieved by dividing the screen into two axes with three equal parts each. It can also be done using imagination. However, in modern times, smartphone screens and cameras are divided into grids, resulting in nine equal sections. The points where these lines intersect are called focal points or strong points.

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"This rule requires that important elements of the video be configured on these lines or at their intersections to provide spaces for the background and depth of the story."

How to Enable Grid Lines

To apply the Rule of Thirds, first enable a grid divided into nine equal parts. Many modern cameras support grid lines and can be activated easily from the camera settings. When recording videos on smartphones, most new (and old) Android and iPhone models make it easy to activate grid lines.

To use grid lines on an iPhone, open the Settings app, scroll down to the 'Camera' section, and go to 'Composition'. Then, turn on 'Grid'

"To enable grid lines on Samsung devices, open the Settings app, go to 'Apps', select the camera, open the 'Camera settings', and activate 'Grid Lines'."

How to Use the Rule of Thirds

To fully utilize grid lines, it is necessary to know the positions of important elements within the frame. For the main parts of the scene (faces, locations, products, etc.), place them on the grid lines or at their best intersections. In portrait and close-up photography, aligning the subject's eyes with the top horizontal line can make the composition more appealing.

Place the main theme at the top horizontal grid line to capture the horizon and background. When placing main elements, do not ignore the rest of the frame. It adds context and depth to the story. Especially, pay attention not to place the main element in the center. This makes the image seem static and visually unappealing.

Why is the Rule of Thirds Effective?

The Rule of Thirds creates a natural balance in videos. Our brains are easily drawn to centrally configured focal points, and by placing important elements at these intersections, we can guide viewers' attention to the most important parts of the scene. This technique makes your recording more professional, dynamic, and visually appealing.

By configuring important elements around these focus points, you provide ample space for surrounding landscapes and backgrounds. This adds context and depth to your shooting work. On the other hand, placing objects in the center can make movement within the frame stagnant, causing the frame to be overly crowded, limiting background space, and making it feel like your shooting is stuck.

One of the beauty of the Rule of Thirds lies in its versatility. It can be used not only with people and landscapes but also in product photos and moving subjects on a screen. To keep viewers engaged and tell an engaging story from start to finish, always apply the Rule of Thirds when making videos or photos.

This is the essence of the Rule of Thirds, and it's a method that can elevate your video-making skills to the next level. While this guideline is very helpful, consider it more as a rule rather than a strict one. You don't have to follow the grid strictly if the composition doesn't work with it. So, if you want to rely on intuition, feel free to shoot without the grid and include it in your video.