Composition Rules the Pros Actually Use

The rule of thirds is the only composition rule most people ever learn, which is a shame, because it's the least interesting one. Professionals work from a larger toolkit — lines that steer the eye, layers that build depth, emptiness that gives a subject room to matter — and, crucially, they know what each rule is for. That's what makes breaking one a decision instead of an accident. Everything below works on any iPhone; no Pro model required.

Turn On the Scaffolding