The rule of thirds is a useful starting point for composing photographs and video. Imagine dividing the frame with two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. This creates nine sections and four intersection points that can help guide the placement of important elements.
As Adobe’s composition guide explains, the approach can help balance a subject with the space around it. It is a guideline for organising the frame, rather than a requirement that every successful image must follow.
Applying it to an interview
For an interview, placing the speaker to one side can create space in the direction they are looking. The eyes are often positioned near the upper horizontal third, while the background and empty space help establish context.
Headroom, cropping and looking room deserve separate attention. They relate to the framing of the shot, but the rule of thirds does not automatically decide how much of a person’s head or body should be included. A tighter portrait and a wider environmental interview may need different choices.
Before recording, check the full frame: the subject’s position, distracting background objects, the direction of their gaze and the balance of visible space.
When a different composition works
A centred subject, a symmetrical setting or a tightly framed close-up may communicate the intended idea more effectively. The value of the rule of thirds is that it gives you a reference point from which to make those decisions.
Try more than one arrangement and compare what each version emphasises. A deliberate choice about the frame is more useful than following a grid without considering the subject or the story.
Related posts: The Five Shot Rule and COM109 Video Interview.
This post forms part of my 2020 COM109 learning archive. Editorial revision: 4 October 2026.
Sources and further reading
Adobe. (n.d.). How to use and break the rule of thirds. Read the composition guide.
The following sources were cited in the original 2020 post:
Hayek, D. 2010. “Framing and composition.” Vimeo (blog), Dec 16, 2010. https://vimeo.com/blog/post/framing-and-composition/
Renée, V. 2017. “Composition for Beginners: What you need to know about Framing Up a Shot.” No Film School (blog) May 17, 2017. https://nofilmschool.com/2017/05/composition-beginners-what-you-need-know-about-framing-shot
Source: SaleemBradley.com · By Saleem Bradley · Original on SaleemBradley.com · Reference: SB-WP-158
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