The Rule of Thirds

'It's not wise to violate rules until you know how to observe them'

- T.S. Eliot, interview with The Paris Review (Issue 21, 1959)

"A number of  'rules of composition' or guidelines exist that we can use to improve our images. The most commonly known ones have been formulated over the centuries by artists working in a variety of visual mediums, from architecture to painting and photography. And while we all know the saying, 'rules were meant to be broken', there's clear benefit to understanding just what it is you're 'breaking' in the first place."

Everyone should take a moment to read this excellent article on using the time honored "rule of thirds" when composing your pictures...

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/6426089447/compositional-rules