The rule of thirds
Trevor Cole

The rule of thirds

January 2026

Entry 26655358
19th
2
150
Entry 26661920
15th
38
Entry 26671639
7th
168
Entry 26841727
35th
1
46
Entry 26945015
58th
19
Entry 26994084
34th
121
Entry 27007030
29th
1
40
Entry 27047563
23rd
1
71
Entry 27050142
37th
78
Entry 27052346
45th
14
Entry 27061081
10th
40
Entry 27068276
17th
10
Entry 27072944
43rd
161
Crowd
winner
Entry 27089228
56th
131
Entry 27091974
2nd
75
Entry 27092601
57th
16
Entry 27100639
41st
35
Entry 27100641
61st
9

Brief

See more contest details

This most well known of compositional guides can be useful to have in the back of your mind when the camera is to your eye, or you’re cropping an image. But it is as often broken as it is adhered to, and in breaking it there can be some more dramatic shots to be had. That said, this contest is designed for photos that do conform to the rule of thirds - having a prominent vertical or horizontal feature about a third of the way into the frame, which can produce a pleasing and well balanced feel. Any subjects are welcome.

3,809 Images entered

1,309 Photographers

68,723 Ratings

Entry 27086103
24th
9
Entry 27093495
18th
29
Entry 27095276
20th
3
281
Entry 27097178
12th
1328
Entry 27103671
13th
1
41