When it comes to composition rules, the Rule of Thirds is one of the first that comes to mind. However, it’s just one of the many approaches to creating an impactful and story-driven image. Once you’ve mastered the Rule of Thirds, it’s time to explore other ways of thinking.

In the video above, James Popsys recommends an alternative composition approach to the popular Rule of Thirds. He suggests viewing the scene as a “constant dance between how the supporting subjects interact with the main subject.” This allows him to evaluate which supporting elements add or distract to the visual story conveyed through the main subject. He then uses this as a guide to how much he includes or excludes as much of the supporting subjects in the composition.

Then, he also presents several examples to support this mindset. He explains how he applied the composition concept to each of the photos. Ultimately, however, how you apply this approach to your own work is subjective; what seems distracting and what adds to the visual story is all up to you.

What do you think of this alternative composition tip to the Rule of Thirds? Do you have other composition approaches to recommend? Share it with us in the comments below, or in our group discussion if you’re already part of the Photofocus Community!