Noticing Arrangements

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Seeing Spatial Arrangements

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There’s a simple way to tune into how our minds experience the world: notice how things are placed in the space around you. You don’t need a camera or special tools—just a willingness to slow down and observe.

One approach is to imagine the space in thirds—horizontally, vertically, or both. See how objects, people, or even light naturally divide the area you’re observing. What draws your attention first? What feels balanced, and what feels weighted? Over time, noticing these relationships helps you understand not just what is there, but how it feels to move through or look at a place.

Traditionally, the rule of thirds is a composition technique in which an image is divided evenly into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, and the subject of the image is placed at the intersection of those dividing lines, or along one of the lines itself. If you want to know more about the technical approach, Google has a vast amount of information on this rule. 
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You might find that certain placements invite your gaze to linger, or create a subtle tension that asks for more attention. Sometimes, this is something you’ll notice when photographing—but just as often, it’s something you’ll see by simply being present. Slowing down in this way—observing the way form and flow shape your experience—is a practice in awareness, patience, and curiosity.

As I looked through my images, I had a sense that when I left space on the left side, I felt called to slow down, take space, go inward. Using that insight as a baseline, I created a personal framework for using the rule of thirds to communicate a more personal narrative through images and to enhance the traditional approach with greater meaning. 

Before I move into my personal insights, I want to be clear: this is by no means the only way to view the rule of thirds or any abstract concept. Feel free to take what you want and leave the rest and/or adapt it to your own culture, values, spiritual beliefs, and personal experience. Continue reading below for examples of how to use the rule of thirds to tell a story. ​

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Mind: Placing the subject in the center creates a symmetrical, ordered scene, which often satisfies the logical mind.  

If you want to communicate knowledge, focused energy, and/or vital awareness, try placing your subject in the center of the frame.

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Body: Placing the subject on the left (when looking through the lens) creates an active scene, which inspires a sense of adventure. 

If you want to communicate a call to action, excited energy, and/or an invitation to explore, try placing your subject on the left side of the frame.

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Spirit: Placing the subject on the right (when looking through the lens) creates a restful scene, which encourages a slowing down. 

If you want to communicate a sense of calm, soothing energy, and/or an invitation to contemplate, try placing your subject of the right side of the frame. 

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The framework for the horizontal line placement below came from my background in portrait photography. 

​For portraits, we were taught that lowering the camera and looking up created a sense of power and greater presence, and that raising the camera and looking down created a softness and a gentle presence. To be honest, we were also taught to photograph men looking up at them to make them appear more powerful and women looking down on them to make them appear thinner. So, there's that little bit of cultural insight from 1996... 

What I like about photographing nature subjects in this way is that looking up helps me understand the big, powerful, and all-encompassing perspective of nature and I feel a part of that power. In looking down, I feel a sense of awe for each tiny detail in nature and I feel humbled to be connected to such wonder. 

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Mind: Placing the subject at the mid-line creates a pragmatic image. ​

​If you want to communicate a sense of purpose, try placing your subject in the center of the frame. ​

Body: Placing the subject at the high-line creates a powerful image.

​If you want to communicate a sense of strength, try placing your subject at the top of the frame.  

Spirit: Placing the subject at the low-line creates a prayerful image. 

If you want to communicate a sense of reverence, try placing your subject at the bottom of the frame.​

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Next time you’re walking, sitting, or even waiting for a friend, notice the “thirds” in the space around you.

Try noticing:

• What first catches your attention?
  
• How does the arrangement of things shape your experience?
  
• What new details appear if you shift your perspective, vertically or horizontally?
  

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