The Rule of Thirds is a well-known principle in photography & videography that helps create balance and visual interest in your compositions. It involves dividing the frame into nine parts using horizontal and vertical lines (two each) and positioning the subject along these lines or at the intersections. But how do you enable the Rule of Thirds in DaVinci Resolve?
To enable the Rule of Thirds in DaVinci Resolve, open the FX window and then drag & drop the Grid effect onto your adjustment clip. Next, go to “Effects” → “Open FX” and adjust the Row Cells slider until it reads 3 and the Column Cells slider until it reads 3.
This post will show you how to enable the Rule of Thirds in DaVinci Resolve in a few easy steps. Read on to find out more.
Adding an adjustment clip to your timeline
To enable the Rule of Thirds in DaVinci Resolve, the first step is to add an adjustment clip to your timeline. The special clip type allows you to apply effects to a specific part of your video rather than the entire project.
1. Adding an adjustment clip
- Go to the “Effects Library“, located in the top menu under the Effects tab.
- Drag and drop the Adjustment Clip onto the preferred track on your timeline. That will create a new clip that you can make adjustments to on your timeline
2. Finding the grid effect
Next, you’ll need to open the FX window to access the grid effect that will create the rule of thirds grid.
- Towards the top of DaVinci Resolve, select “Effects“. Doing so will open the FX library for DaVinci Resolve.
- In the FX window, select Resolve FX Generate from the dropdown menu at the top. That will give you access to various effects you can use to enhance your video.
3. Add the grid effect to your adjustment clip
Now that you have access to the Resolve FX Generate effects, you can add the grid effect to your adjustment clip. That will create a grid over your video, helping you align your subject with the rule of thirds.
To apply to grid effect, just drag & drop it over your adjustment clip in the timeline. It should apply.
4. Adjust the number of rows and columns
The final step is to adjust the number of rows and columns in the grid to create the rule of thirds.
- Go to the “Effects” tab in the top menu and select “Open FX“. That will reopen the FX window.
- In the FX window, scroll down to the “Grid” effect and find the “Row Cells” and “Column Cells” sliders.
- Adjust the “Row Cells” slider to “3” and the “Column Cells” slider to “3“.
Video tutorial
Common mistakes to avoid when applying the rule of thirds
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when applying the Rule of Thirds in video production:
- Placing the subject too close to the center of the frame: This can make the shot look dull and uninteresting. Instead, try placing the subject along one of the grid lines or at an intersection.
- Ignoring the background: Remember that the Rule of Thirds applies to the entire frame, not just the subject. Make sure to consider the placement of the background elements as well.
- Being too rigid: While the Rule of Thirds is a helpful guideline, it’s not a hard & fast rule. Sometimes breaking the rule can lead to a more interesting composition.
- Overusing the grid: While the grid can be a useful tool for composing your shot, try not to rely on it too heavily. Remember to use your own judgment and creativity to make the shot visually appealing.
- Forgetting to consider movement: When applying the Rule of Thirds to a moving subject, it’s important to consider the direction of movement and adjust the composition accordingly. This can help create a sense of balance and flow in the shot. This is especially important in filmmaking.
FAQ
Can you experiment with different grid layouts to find the perfect balance for your project?
Yes, you can, you can tinker with the grid effect settings in the Inspector window to create any type of grid you like. DaVinci Resolve allows you to change almost any aspect of an effect you can imagine.
How important is the Rule of Thirds in creating visually appealing and balanced videos?
The rule of thirds has been used in an unbelievable amount of creative content from movies to TV shows & books to comics. There’s a reason it’s so widely used in any form of creative content it can be applied to. It is considered worldwide to be an essential tool for creating visually appealing and balanced videos.
Are there any other composition techniques that can improve the visual appeal and balance of a video?
There are plenty of techniques that are widely taught & utilized in the photography & videography industry that can improve the appeal & balance of a video. Bob Books talks about this in much more detail.
Can the Rule of Thirds be applied in other areas besides videography and photography?
Yes, the Rule of Thirds can be applied to other areas such as graphic design, painting, and even web design. The principle of dividing an image into thirds and placing the subject or focal point along these lines or at the intersections can create a sense of balance and visual interest in almost all types of visual media.
Conclusion
And that’s it! With these four easy steps, you can enable the rule of thirds in DaVinci Resolve and create a more visually appealing and balanced video.
Remember to play around with the grid settings and experiment with different layouts to find the perfect balance for your project.
