The rule of thirds is one of the most useful composition techniques in photography. It can be used in all types of photography to produce images which are more engaging and better balanced.
The rule of thirds involves dividing up your image using 2 horizontal lines and 2 vertical lines – most digital cameras have a rule of thirds overlay in the viewfinder which is convenient for following or breaking the rule.
You then position the important elements in your scene along those lines, or at the points where they meet.
A well balanced image based on the RoT.
Eyes on the rule.
Here the jets are on the lower right rule of thirds intersection, the apex of the curve is on the upper third line and the strat of the smoke trail is in the lower left third box.