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How to set up grid lines on my Nikon D3500?

lea.da88mance Posted messages 2 Status Member -  
The Braveheart Posted messages 4377 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   -
Hello,
I've heard a lot about the famous rule of thirds, however... I can't seem to find how to set up the grid on my device. Does my device have this option? If so, what are the steps to access it? I own a Nikon D3500.

Thank you in advance.

3 answers

  1.
    The Braveheart Posted messages 4377 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   1 334
     
    Hello,

    To my knowledge, there is no grid mode in the viewfinder of the D3500. This is a Nikon policy aimed at simplifying its menus. This is the case with my Nikon D6. However, on my D5500, there is still a grid in the viewfinder.

    What can you do in your case? Well, I will give you a solution from a photography practitioner, not a theorist.

    I have been practicing photography for about thirty years. This notion of the Rule of Thirds is just an extrapolation of your gaze. You need to register this grid in your mind and transfer it to your eye when you take a shot.

    Honestly, the grid in the viewfinder is more of a source of distraction than anything else. Your screen is already quite cluttered without it. You just need to learn to use this rule of thirds by imagining this grid automatically in your view. It is a matter of habit. What I can recommend is that when you take a photo, you picture the grid, aim, take the photo, and then use software to visualize your Rule of Thirds. I recommend Photofiltre, which is very easy to use and free.

    And then, you follow this tutorial:

    1. You save this grid



    2. You open Photofiltre and your image.

    3. You find your grid image and right-click on your grid and "copy."

    4. On your photo, go to "Edit" - "Special Paste" - "Mask" and your grid is on your shot.





    5. To synchronize your shot and your grid, go to "Layer" - "Transformation" - "Distortion." Small squares will appear, stretch your grid from these squares, and you will have your rule of thirds on your shot.






    There you go, this way you can compare your vision of the Rule of Thirds and what it actually yields. And after a while, when you have fully integrated this concept, you won’t need Photofiltre anymore. Your eye will naturally apply this rule and this grid.

    Have a great day.

    The Braveheart

    --

    "I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The World will have a generation of Idiots." (Albert EINSTEIN)
    2
  2. lea.da88mance Posted messages 2 Status Member
     
    WOW thank you very much for your response.
    I just have to get started.

    Great, thanks again, it's perfect.
    0
  3. The Braveheart Posted messages 4377 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   1 334
     
    Hello,

    Glad if I could help you.

    Feel free to reach out to me here or in a private message if you need any more advice. It's not always easy to master the concepts and all the tricks to take a good shot.

    Have a nice day.

    The braveheart.

    --
    "I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction.
    The World will have a generation of Idiots."     (Albert EINSTEIN)
    0