Apparently there is a basic composition rule of photography that everyone knows. Everyone except us moms! It is called "The Rule of Thirds". It is all about how to line up your shot.
As you line up your shot you need to imagine this grid. Some camera's have a function where it will put it on your screen.
This grid has:
2 horizontal lines. Top line = "eye line" Bottom line = "horizon line"
2 vertical lines.
4 points where these lines intersect each other called "power points"
THE RULE OF THIRDS:
PLACE THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF YOUR PICTURE ON A LINE , A POWER POINT OR BOTH.
Example #1:
Lets talk landscape first. It's a little easier to explain. The picture below has 2 important parts. The trees and the bale of hay. Line them up on 2 POWER POINTS. Placing the points of interest on opposite lines makes the picture the most interesting. Easy huh?
Example #2
Still talking landscape here. The 2 important parts are the tree and horizon. Place the horizon on the HORIZON LINE and the tree on a POWER POINT. Also pretty simple.
Example #3
Now lets consider taking pictures of our kids. Your child's beautiful eyes will always be the most important part of your picture. Line them up on a POWER POINT on the EYE LINE. If your child is doing something try to line up their activity on another POWER POINT. The child's body should be lined up on one of the VERTICAL LINES.
Example #4
When photographing babies who are laying down line up their body on the HORIZON LINE. Place their eyes on a POWER POINT on the EYE LINE.
2 QUICK TIPS
1. You do not have to be exact to take advantage of this rule. If your child's eyes are close to the POWER POINT on the EYE LINE that is all you need.
2. If it is hard to do this as you take pictures, do it when you crop the picture instead. I use "iphoto" on my Mac and it has the grid up for me as I crop my pictures.
Here are a few pictures that I have taken practicing The Rule of Thirds:
