In photography there are rules that function as guidelines that help create interesting and compelling images. These rules also tend to play a role in photography competitions making them rules photographers strive to adhere to but also the things to break to see what we can create when we throw the rules away.
So What are these three rules?
Rule of Thirds, Leading Lines and Framing.
The Rule of Thirds: Imagine your image divided into a 3x3 grid, like a tic-tac-toe board. Place key elements of your photo along those lines or at their intersections. This creates a more balanced, interesting composition rather than placing your subject right in the center.
Leading Lines: Use natural or architectural lines (like roads, fences, or rivers) to lead the viewer's eye into the photo or toward the subject. This technique gives depth and a sense of direction to your shot.
Frame Within a Frame: Find an element in the scene, like a window, archway, or tree branches, and use it to "frame" your subject. It adds layers and helps focus attention on the main subject in a creative way.