Composition is one of the most important things to learn in photography. Many amateurs and rising photographers are familiar with and rely on the rule of thirds to capture well-composed photographs. However, if you are acquainted with this rule, you will know it is just a scratch on the surface.
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The golden ratio is one of the best compositional tools in the universe. It exists everywhere in nature, including in DNA and other fields such as photography. You can create more attractive or aesthetically pleasing pictures with the golden ratio. In this article, you will learn how and when to use the golden ratio in photography to compose and capture your images.
You can learn more about image composition in our article: Photography Composition Rules To Follow every time You Click A Photo.
What Is The Golden Ratio In Photography?
The golden ratio is a compositional guide. In photography, it helps photographers to frame and place their subjects. It is similar to the rule of thirds. But more advanced. Some call it the spiral ratio, the golden spiral, divine proportion, Fibonacci spiral or sequence, golden mean or section, or Phi grid.
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It is a mathematical ratio used to analyze the proportions of natural and artificial objects. The golden ratio appears in some patterns and aspects of nature, including the spiral arrangements of leaves and other related matters. It has been in existence before the invention of cameras.
The Egyptians used the golden ratio in the construction of the pyramid. Famous artists like Salvador Dalí and Leonardo da Vinci also used the rule. It comes from the Fibonacci spiral or sequence.
Note: The golden ratio itself is 1.618 to 1.
Although it is a mathematical ratio, you do not need to be an expert in mathematics or numbers to apply this technique to your photographs. There are several ways to use the golden ratio in photography. However, experts often employ the Fibonacci spiral and Phi grid techniques.
You might be interested in our article: Proportion In Photography – What Are Best Proportions To Click Pictures?
What Is The Fibonacci Spiral In Photography?
The Fibonacci spiral or golden spiral is a mathematical formula built from a series of numbers based on the Fibonacci numbers. You can find the sequence in everything.
Photographers often use this sequence as an alternative composition technique that provides balance, beauty, and symmetry. Many artists and scientists also create aesthetically pleasing compositions with the formula.
Note: In the Fibonacci series, each number is the sum of the preceding two. The sequence starts from 0 and 1. The digits are: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21…
What Is The Phi Grid In Photography?
The Phi grid is another compositional tool in photography. It helps photographers to visualize each part of their images. Hence, in photography, the Phi grid aids photographers capture visually appealing and perfect photographs of their subjects.
The Phi grid is similar to the rule of thirds and Headroom (photographic framing). But in this aspect, you are not dividing your frame into equal thirds nor considering only the head of your subjects. Instead, the Phi rule places your image in a more central position.
The grid consists of a 1:0.618:1 ratio with closer center lines. Thus, using this rule means that your subject will appear at a central position in your frame. So, your composition will be unique and perfect from the viewers’ perspectives.
So, how do these rules work in photography and image compositions? Continue reading to find out.
How Does The Fibonacci Spiral Work In Photography?
The Fibonacci spiral is an easy photographic compositional tool. Although photographers do not commonly apply this measure like they use the rule of thirds. However, the coil enables a photographer to create interesting photos using the pattern. And also engage the minds of the viewers. Thus, if you use the Fibonacci series, your viewers’ eyes and minds will naturally be around the image.
How Does The Phi Grid Work In Photography?
The Phi grid creates a set of intersecting lines. These lines are much closer to the middle or center of your frame. Each version is unique and has the potential to complement different aspects of the scenes to improve your overall image clarity and quality.
How Does The Golden Ratio Work In Photography?
The Fibonacci series and golden ratio work in similar ways. The golden ratio allows you to compose and capture perfectly balanced pictures of your subjects.
The application of this rule will subtlely attract and engage your viewers’ attention to the photographs. The golden ratio will meticulously guide the minds and eyes of the viewers around your photos in a natural flow.
How To Use The Golden Ratio In Photography?
Although the mathematical pattern of these rules is complex, anyone can use the golden mean, Phi grid, or Fibonacci spiral in photography. The simplest way to do it is to visualize a small rectangle or square within one corner of your frame. Then draw or bisect arcs from one corner to another so that an imaginary spiral, line, or curve diagonally crosses your entire frame.
The curve or lines flows through several focal points and naturally lead your eyes around the pictures.
Note: The several focal points are associated with the spiral within the rectangle or square. From the meeting point, you can envision a curve leading out from your main focal point in a wide arc leading out of the frame.
When using the Phi grid for your image composition, envision your frame divided into nine segments or sections. Its application is similar to the rule of thirds. However, it is more weighted and accentuates the four corners of your frame.
Remember, photography is a form of art. There is no end to what you can create or capture. However, you will need thorough and consistent practice. You will need a lot of exercises to master this aspect of composing your images. Firstly, you will have to gain mastery in locating vital focal points in every subject. Secondly, you will have to learn how to put a grid in your frame.
How To Practically Apply The Golden Ratio In Your Images?
Quick Tip: The Golden Ratio consists of two parts: large and small numbers. We calculate the large number by dividing a line into two segments so that the ratio of the bigger segment to the smaller segment equals the percentage of the whole line to its larger segment.
We calculate the small number by multiplying these two segments together. There are many ways you can use this ratio in your images. You can use it as a starting point for your composition or an indicator of how much space you should give to certain objects or areas in the image.
Here is a step-by-step guide to using both techniques for your composition requirements.
Step 1: Find A Scene
The beauty of photographs captured with the golden ratio depends on the scene. A fitting photographic location with undoubtedly enhance your image production.
Step 2: Examine The Scene And Determine The Best Technique To Use
After finding a suitable scene, examine it. To do that, ask yourself questions like:
- What are the possible objects in the scene that can improve or decline your overall image clarity and quality?
- What other spirals or curves exist in the scene that can serve as leading lines?
- What is the focal point or subject of the photograph?
After examing the scene, you can determine the suitable composition approach to use between the Phi grid and the Fibonacci spiral. If your scene has any natural leading lines or grid, use the Phi. If it has a natural spiral or curves, use the Fibonacci spiral.
You can also use the grid composition approach for landscape photographs. And the golden spiral for portraits.
Step 3: Set Up Your Camera And Shot
Go to the settings on your camera to find out its in-built overlays. Most cameras do not have the golden ratio as overlays, but almost all DSLR cameras have the rule of thirds grid display. So, you can use the rule of thirds to determine when your subject should be as per the golden ratio. The rule of thirds grid will help enable the feature. You can see the grid appear on your electronic viewfinder.
Then select which aspect or corner of the image to use. Use the rule of thirds to estimate when the subject should be within the frame. If you are using the Phi grid, place the subject closer to the center of the image. If you choose to use the spiral technique, ensure to place your subject further out than the rule of thirds intersection.
If you cannot visualize these diagrams while shooting, you can capture the photos in the rule of thirds and edit them later. Suppose you are new to compositional photography, then we recommend that you start with the rule of thirds.
Ensure the set and subjects are set, then shoot. Do not forget to take several shots. And finally, improve the images with post-processing applications.
You can learn more about how to put a grid in your viewfinder in our article: How to put grid on DSLR camera viewfinder?
When To Use Golden Ratio In Photography
There are no rules or restrictions if it has to do with when to use the golden ratio to compose your image. Although it is a bit technical, you can use it for everyday portrait and landscape shots.
You can use the golden ratio or divine proportion when you are doing: Fine art photography, portraiture photography, landscape photography, and any other forms of photography.
Generally, you can use this photographic compositional guide whenever you want to add depth and make your images stand out. You can also use it whenever you want to try something other than the rule of thirds. It is also a great compositional guide for any form of astrophotography.
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- What is fine art photography? How to start fine art photography?
- All You need to know about portrait photography. Start portrait photography today!
- Night time photography settings to capture the best night city life photos.
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FAQs
Which Is Better: The Golden Ratio Or The Rule Of Thirds?
The golden ratio is a mathematical equation that has been proven to be aesthetically pleasing. It is the ratio of two quantities, one of which is the larger and the other being the smaller. On the other hand, the rule of thirds is a composition technique that divides an image into nine equal parts. It is used to create balance and harmony within an image by placing key focal points in important areas, such as where the lines intersect.
Therefore, the best compositional guide between the rule of thirds and the golden ratio depends on your photographic level or experience. The rule of thirds is commonly used by rising photographers, while experts make use of the golden ratio.
How Do You Find The Golden Ratio Of An Image?
To find the golden ratio of an image, you first need to measure the width and height of your image. The width is usually listed on the left side of your screen, while the height is listed on the top. Once you have both numbers, divide them by each other to get your answer.
Conclusion
The Golden ratio is an advanced photographic compositional technique. By using the Fibonacci spiral or Phi grid to compose your images, you will naturally lead the eyes of viewers around the photographs. You can experiment with the various forms of the golden ratio to personally discover the most suitable for you. And also to learn how and when to use it in your shooting.
What do you think about the golden ratio? Tell us in the comments box below.