Grid lines can help you take better photos, providing a shortcut to good composition. While everyone is familiar with the standard 3×3 grid that helps photographers apply the rule of thirds, there are other types of grids available. My Google Pixel phone has four options, so I tried them all to see what effect each one had on my photos.
Choosing the best grid for your smartphone camera can be confusing given the variety of options available. After trying out several types of grids, I’ve been able to assess how each one impacts image quality and the overall experience. In this article, I share my insights into the different types of grids and how they impact actual image performance. Check out our guide to using the rule of thirds in photography: Effective techniques to improve image quality.
Enable grid types on smartphone camera
If you have an Android phone but don't have any option to enable grid lines or change the network type, you can install Pixel Camera (Formerly known as Google Camera). It's free and can be used in place of your native camera app. Pixel Camera comes with four different grid types, meaning you'll have a small selection to choose from.
The iPhone camera only comes with one grid type, so as an iPhone owner, all you can do by default is choose to enable or disable the 3×3 grid lines. Otherwise, you’ll need to install an alternative camera app on your iPhone and use that instead. We recommend ProCamera, which offers several different grid line types, including the golden ratio as shown below.
My methodology for testing network line types
As I mentioned at the beginning, I own a Google Pixel phone, which has Pixel Camera installed as the camera app. So, to test the effect that different types of grid lines can have on images, I shot three different subjects using each of the four available grid types: no grid, 3×3 grid, 4×4 grid, and golden ratio grid.
I tried to make the subject as consistent as possible in all four shots, just by moving my phone left, right, up, down, changing the angle, and/or zooming in and out a bit to stick to the grid lines. Here are the results (with resulting images).
Shooting without a network
Shooting without a grid is the default option on most smartphone cameras, and it’s what manufacturers assume you’ll choose. It may be your preferred option if you’re an experienced photographer who knows the rules of composition well enough not to need any help.
There’s nothing wrong with shooting without a grid overlay if that’s your preference. Even if you’re not an expert, you may prefer an uncluttered view of your subject, with nothing but your instincts to guide you. In this case, disabling grid lines altogether is the right decision.
I found that shooting without a grid made me rely on my instincts. I would line up the subject, take a moment to think about what I was shooting, and then click the shutter button.
Shooting with 3×3 grid
The 3×3 grid is the standard grid type. It’s what iPhone users can use without having to install an alternative camera app, and the default option Google offers in the Pixel Camera. As the name suggests, the 3×3 grid type divides the camera lens into three parts, horizontally and vertically, giving you nine equal-sized sections.
The 3×3 grid is popular because it conforms to the rule of thirds, a well-known and popular composition technique that many people use. Enabling the 3×3 grid type takes all the guesswork out of the rule of thirds, as you can use the grid lines to align your shot so that it conforms to the rule of thirds. This is especially useful when shooting landscapes and cityscapes.
I found shooting with a 3×3 grid very relaxing, as I’ve been thinking about the rule of thirds for years. While you should never feel dependent on the grid, it can help you think about composition. Check out why I ignore traditional photography rules to take better photos with my phone.
Shooting with 4×4 grid
The 4×4 grid is less common than the 3×3 grid and there is no golden rule of composition named after it. However, it does exactly the same thing; divides the width of your subject into four parts instead of three, horizontally and vertically. This leaves you with 16 equal-sized sections, and this division can help you frame your subject.
The 4×4 grid is useful when there are a lot of elements in the shot. While it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to line up everything along the eight lines that intersect your view, it can help you understand the subject and help you move in and around the subject until the composition is just right.
I hadn't used the 4×4 grid before, but I found it very useful for some shots. For others, where there weren't many elements in the shot, it added a lot of lines and parts that I didn't have to worry about.
Photography using the golden ratio grid
The Golden Ratio grid type is the most interesting of the options I tested here, and the one I’m least familiar with. It’s based on the Golden Spiral, or Fibonacci Spiral. The Fibonacci sequence is a mathematical sequence where each number is the sum of the previous two numbers.
This is converted into a spiral by converting the Fibonacci sequence into tiles, and connecting the corresponding corners of the squares with circular arcs. When you repeat the golden spiral four times (starting from the four corners), you get the golden ratio. On your smartphone screen, this will take the form of nine squares in a grid pattern. However, unlike the 3×3 and 4×4 grid types, the squares are not equal in size.
I found shooting with the golden ratio grid to be a great experience, as I had never used it before. It definitely makes you think about the composition of each shot, but I wasn’t enamored with the end results. Check out compositional tips to make your food photos look delicious.
What I've learned from trying different types of networks
Ultimately, I think grid lines are extremely useful for smartphone photographers. They’re a handy weapon in any photographer’s arsenal, so unless you find them distracting, you can use them too. Unsurprisingly, the 3×3 grid is the most straightforward type of grid you can choose, as it’s a straightforward way to get a good composition.
Sure, the 4×4 grid and the golden ratio grid have their place, but there’s a reason why the rule of thirds is such a well-known and widely used technique. Since both the iPhone and Android offer a 3×3 grid as standard (unless your Android manufacturer decides to replace Google’s camera app with their own), enabling and using the 3×3 grid type is a no-brainer.
I always enable gridlines on my phone, and I encourage you to do the same. It’s a super easy way to focus your mind when taking photos with your phone, transforming you from a casual photographer to someone who takes photography seriously. After all, you may only get one chance to capture a particular subject, so it’s best to make the effort to get the shot right by taking a moment or two before you press the shutter button. You can now check out I Took the Same Photos with My Phone and My Camera: Which Is Better?
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