The rule of thirds
The rule of thirds is known as the “rule of the thumb” that relates to the process of composing a visual image. For example, photographs, paintings and designs. The guidelines show that an image should be imagined as if it were divided into nine equal parts by two horizontal lines and two equally parallel spaced lines.
The name of “The rule of thirds” was created by John Thomas Smith in 1797. Smith expanded on the idea from a quote written in 1783 by a man called “Sir Joshua Renolds” about the balance of dark and light in a painting, then named it the rule of thirds.
Here is an example of how an image should be imagined to look like:
(equally spaced lines)
Framing
Framing techniques are very subjective. One person may find something to be quite dramatic, and another may find it pointless. The rules of framing video images are basically the same as those for still photography.
These are some of the basic shots used in photography and film; extreme wide shot, very wide shot, wide shot, mid shot, medium close up, close up, extreme close up and a cut away shot. Different shots are used to give a different perspective to the viewers or people who are seeing the image to get more of an idea of what is going on in the image/video. Different shots can give you a feeling of how the image/person makes you feel.
Eye line
An eye line match is a film editing technique used to show the viewers what the character on screen is seeing. For example, if two people are having a conversation it is important to have their eyes in level with each other so there is no confusion. Eye lining also occurs if the person in screen is looking at an object then you see what they are looking at.
Here is an example of how the camera has to match with what the person is looking at so the shot can be successful.
180 degree rule
The 180 degree rule states that the camera should remain in line with the imaginary line shown on the camera when filming. The line is drawn perpendicular to the cameras viewpoint. For example, in a motor bike scene in a film the bike is travelling from left to right, the next shot must also be shot from the same side as the other so the bike can enter the frame from right to left again. If this rule is broken it may confuse the audience, especially in scenes that have sports or a chase in them so the camera must always be on one side of the line.
Here is an example of how it should and shouldn’t be shot on camera:
Perrie Kurban 