Rule of the Thirds

If you are taking pictures, painting or creating images on the computer, it is a good practice not to put your subject in the center of the picture. Simply, the rule of the thirds says that people and objects (center of interest) make a more eye appealing composition if they appear off-center.

Place your subject off center by a third, vertically and/or horizontally. Imagine dividing your field of view to three equal sections horizontally and three equal sections vertically

Below is an imaginary viewfinder. The dots represent the "power points" of the image.

Here is a picture that applies rule of the thirds.

...works for the vertical images as well.

Personally I don't like the term "Rule" of the Thirds. It is more like a "guideline" to achieve eye-pleasing images; to improve strength and clarity.

Can I ever put my subject in the center? Sure, you can. It is your image afterall.

There are situations when a centrally placed subject works fine. For example, one subject and there is nothing else in the scene that distracts it.

Another situation is where you have a very tight balance in the image.