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What is the Rule of Thirds?
The Rule of Thirds divides your image into a grid of nine equal parts, using two horizontal and two vertical lines. Instead of centering your subject, you place it along these lines—or, ideally, at one of the four intersection points (where the lines cross). This helps create balance, movement, and a natural flow in your photo, making it more interesting to the audience.Why Does It Work?
The human eye is naturally drawn to these intersection points rather than the dead center of an image. Placing a focal point off-center adds visual interest and creates a sense of harmony or movement. It’s a trick used everywhere—from photography and filmmaking to paintings and graphic design!How to Use the Rule of Thirds in Photography
Step 1: Turn On the Grid
Most modern cameras and smartphones allow you to enable a grid overlay in the viewfinder or settings menu. This makes it easy to see where your subject should go.Step 2: Position Your Subject at the Intersections
Instead of centering your main subject, align it with one of the four grid intersections. This works especially well for portraits, close-ups, and product photography.Step 3: Use the Guide Lines for Landscapes
When shooting landscapes, place the horizon line along either the top or bottom third, instead of smack in the middle. This creates a more dynamic composition.Step 4: Apply It to Motion & Direction
If your subject is moving or looking in a certain direction, place them on one side of the grid so there’s space in front of them. This gives a feeling of movement and balance in the frame.Step 5: Break the Rule When It Makes Sense
While the Rule of Thirds is a great guideline, it’s not a strict rule. Sometimes, centering your subject works better, particularly for symmetrical shots or when emphasizing intensity. Know when to break the rule for creative effect!Examples of the Rule of Thirds in Action
✅ Portraits: Position the subject’s eyes at the top horizontal line or one of the intersections for a natural look. ✅ Landscapes: Place the horizon on the upper or lower third, not the middle, to create better depth and composition. ✅ Street Photography: Position people or important elements along the guideline intersections to create movement and engagement in your frame. ✅ Wildlife Photography: If capturing an animal in motion, give it room to “move into” by following the Rule of Thirds.Final Thoughts: A Simple Trick for Stunning Compositions
The Rule of Thirds is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your photography instantly. It helps create balance, visual interest, and storytelling without needing advanced editing techniques. So, next time you pick up your camera, give it a try—experiment with compositions, and soon, it’ll become second nature! And remember, rules are meant to be learned… and then broken for creativity. 😉 | Photo by Mike Capson.Mastering the Rule of Thirds in Photography: A Simple Guide to Framing Better Shots
Ever seen a photo that just feels right, even if you can’t quite explain why? Chances are, it follows the Rule of Thirds—one of the simplest yet most powerful composition techniques in photography. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned…
So, you've booked a headshot session-great choice! Whether you're updating your professional profile, refreshing your company website, or getting new actor/modeling shots, what you wear for your headshot can make a big difference in how you're perceived.
Choosing the right outfit for your headshot helps you appear professional, confident, and approachable. But what exactly should you wear?
This guide will walk you through how to dress for your upcoming headshot and ensure you look polished and camera-ready.
1. Dress for your Industry
Your outfit should reflect your profession and goals:
Corporate/Business Headshots: Stick with classic professional attire, such as a well-fitted blazer, dress shirt, or blouse. Neutral colors like navy, gray, and black work well.
Creative Fields (Actors, Musicians, Designers, etc): Show some personality! Layered outfits, stylish jackets, or tasteful patterns can help convey your unique brand.
Casual or Personal Branding: Opt for smart-casual looks, such as a fitted sweater, polo shirt, or relaxed button-up.
2. Stick to Solid Colors & Simple Patterns
Solid, neutral, and jewel tones (blue, green, navy, burgundy) are flattering and timeless.Avoid overly bright colors like neon hues, as they can reflect unflattering tones onto your skin.
Small patterns are okay, but avoid bold prints, logos, or stripes that can be distracting.
3. Choose Flattering and Well-Fitting Clothes
Well-fitted clothing makes a difference! Baggy or oversized outfits can appear unflattering on camera.Avoid overly tight clothing-you want to look comfortable, not constricted.
Bring a couple of outfit options so your photographer can help pick the best look.
4. Grooming & Accessories
Keep accessories minimal. Simple earrings or a subtle necklace work, but avoid anything too flashy.Watch the neckline: A V-neck, scoop neck, or well-cut collar is more flattering than a turtleneck or oversized crew-cut. Be mindful of skin exposure: If you're wearing a sleeveless top, ensure it looks polished and not too casual.
Groom facial hair and hair neatly. Bring a brush or styling product for quick touch-ups.
5. Glasses & Makeup Tips
If you wear glasses daily, keep them on, but clean them beforehand to avoid smudges!For makeup, keep it natural. Matte foundation helps reduce shine, and soft eyeliner/lip color enhances features without being distracting.
Final Tips for a Great Headshot
✔ Bring a backup outfit (or two) in different colors to see what looks best under the lighting.✔ Relax and smile naturally-confidence and warmth are the keys to a great headshot.
✔ Communicate with your photographer about the tone and purpose of your headshot.
By following these tips, you'll be dressed for success and ready to capture the perfect headshot that represents the best version of yourself. Now, go crush your headshot session!
| Photo by Mike Capson.What should I wear for my headshot?
So, you’ve booked a headshot session-great choice! Whether you’re updating your professional profile, refreshing your company website, or getting new actor/modeling shots, what you wear for your headshot can make a big difference in how you’re perceived. Choosing the right…
I put together this video to show people how to take one of their existing bags and turn it into a photography / camera bag using minimal supplies.
| Photo by Mike Capson.Turn any bag into a camera bag diy
I put together this video to show people how to take one of their existing bags and turn it into a photography / camera bag using minimal supplies.
Behind The Scenes
A few weeks ago I was sent to shoot some commercial portraits for an engineering firm here in Saint John. Often I am given very little detail into the actual shoot I will be doing. I usually just get the rough idea for the shoot and the subject I will be shooting. 99% of the time I do not know the exact conditions I will be shooting in. For this shoot I was told the client wanted an environmental portrait showcasing the business, the subject, and some personality.
When I arrived the first thing I noticed was that space was limited. I decide on using the CEO's office space as the backdrop for the photo. There was a very well made drafting desk in the corner near the window. I elected to use this as the backdrop for the image and also include it to show that the subject was in this field of work.
Because I had included an outside window in the shot I had to manage my exposure to ensure I was clipping any highlights. I really enjoyed the green leaves of the trees that could be seen from the outside so I wanted to capture those colors alongside the image. To do this my base exposure was quite dark. I landed upon ISO 400, f4, 1/50th for a base exposure. This left the room dark but the window with detail. I then needed to boost the ambient exposure by using some speed-lights.
As you can see above I just needed two speed-lights for this portrait. The first speed light was positioned to the left, just outside of the frame. The light was pointed up into the ceiling. The light stand was raised high about 7 feet. Luckily the ceiling was white and I was able to bounce this light to create a very large ambient light which brought the room level up a few stops. This light was set at 1/32 power. It was also bare with no diffusion on it.
The second light I added to this frame was camera right. This was my main light for lighting the subject. It was set at 1/16th power and I used a shoot through umbrella to soften the light. I was considering lower the power on this speed-light and then filling in the shadows further however I was without my assistant this day and therefore was left short handed.
The reason I choose to shoot through the umbrella and not bounced into the umbrella was due to the amount of light I needed. Because I was without an assistant I was traveling light. Therefore I used the key light to also light some of the drafts that were on the drafting table. Shooting through the umbrella allowed more light to spill onto the table. I usually never shoot through umbrellas for this reason however this was one occasion which proved to work quite well.
The one issue I had a bit of trouble figuring out was the light reflections from my speed-light into the subjects glasses. This was quite simple to remedy by moving the angle of the light slightly. Always remember that light bounces much like a pool ball. If you imagine it this way its quite easier to figure out where to place the light and where to place the camera. There is an excellent article about this on Strobist if you want some further reading.
| Photo by Mike Capson.Simple, 2 light, Editorial Portrait Setup
A few weeks ago I was sent to shoot some commercial portraits for an engineering firm here in Saint John. Often I am given very little detail into the actual shoot I will be doing. I usually just get the rough idea for the shoot and the subject I will be shooting. 99% of the time I do not know the exact conditions I will be shooting in. For this shoot I was told the client wanted an environmental portrait showcasing the business, the subject, and some personality.
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