Where to put things.
WHAT THE RULE OF THIRDS SUGGESTS
Placing subjects a third of the way across, rather than centred.
WHY IT WORKS
It creates balance and space for movement or gaze.
WHAT HEADROOM IS
Space above the subject's head.
WHAT TOO MUCH LOOKS LIKE
The subject sinking in the frame.
WHAT LOOKING ROOM IS
Space in the direction the subject faces.
WHY IT MATTERS
Without it, the subject appears pressed against the edge.
WHAT SHOT SIZES EXIST
Wide, establishing where we are Medium, showing the subject and some context Close, showing expression Detail, showing a specific thing
WHY VARYING THEM MATTERS
A single size for minutes becomes monotonous, and cutting between similar sizes jars.
WHAT THE RULE ABOUT CUTTING IS
Change size or angle meaningfully between shots.
WHAT LEADING LINES DO
Draw the eye toward the subject.
WHAT DEPTH REQUIRES
Something in the foreground, middle and background.
WHY IT MATTERS
It makes a flat image feel dimensional.
WHAT TO CHECK IN EVERY FRAME
The edges, where distractions hide The background, for anything unwanted Whether the subject is clearly the subject
WHAT TO AVOID
Cutting people at joints Dutch angles without reason Zooming during a shot
