The Golden Ratio and Photographic Composition
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Composition is fundamental to photography. And, if you are like me, it is often problematic. I have tried to follow the “rule of thirds” in most of my compositions, but there are times, especially in landscape photography where the rule simply is not pleasing to my eyes.
So recently, I have been using the golden ratio to examine ways to produce images that seem more balanced, that is, images that have an harmonic flow, if you will. The photograph of the castle ruins above is an example of how I tried to apply the golden ratio to a composition using a grid that emulates the ratio. I used a Photoshop Action to produce the grid, you can get it by going here. The result, without the grid is shown below.
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Here is another example, first with the grid, second without it.
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I am not totally happy with either example. But, the idea is to think about composition and to “step outside the box,” if you will, and try ways to present your works in a more balanced form.
Here is another example.
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All three of these photographs are golden rectangles, that is, the ratio of width to height is 1.618 to 1, and within each one, the placement of the center of interest was accomplished using a grid. I believe that the overall effect is pleasing, though perhaps not in perfect form. But, the exercise itself, I think will assist me in the future as I explore new vistas.
The golden ratio is very old, some say that the great pyramids were built using its mathematics, its most celebrated use was in the construction of the Parthenon in Greece.
Many artists have used it through the ages, including Leonardo, Dali, and Vermeer.
Dali’s Sacrament of the Last Supper is a splendid example of its application.
I think it can be used in wildlife photography as well.
Click on photograph for a larger version.
Click on photograph for a larger version.
As we explore photography as an art form, perhaps it is a good idea to look within our viewfinder for opportunities to apply the mysteries of the golden ratio to our works. I find it fascinating that nature produces example after example of the golden ratio. For me, it is something to consider as I wander across our beautiful earth.
An excellent example of the golden ratio in art and in photography can be found here.
Bill Lockhart’s Blog » The Golden Ratio and Photographic Composition…
Bill,
You lost me on the lighthouse one. I think it is a great shot, but not sure how it conforms to the Golden Ratio. The vertical lighthouse falls near the middle of the frame and the strong horizontal line formed by the base of the building does not fall on the lower of the horizontal Golden lines. Am I missing something?
Please don’t get me wrong. Love the shot, just don’t see how it aligns
Thanks!
Rick
Hi Rick,
As I said, the examples do not follow the ratio as well as I would like. With the lighthouse, the concept is that the center lines capture the lighthouse light and the moon rising in the center of the graph with the lighthouse building centered and to the right. It would have been better if the strong horizontal line of the sea were fixed at the top of the graph using the horizontal lines in the distance to match the upper part of the overlay. Part of the issue is that I did not move the camera up enough to do that. It would have been better if the strong horizontal line was moved up to match the grid. Sometimes what we do does not fit what we want exactly as it should.
Excellent comment and spot on. Your insight about the composition is correct. Perfection requires us to look carefully and find the balance that the ratio provides.
Next time, I shall consider the composition more carefully.
It ain’t easy.
Best regards,
Bill
Thanks, Bill. It’s clear now. Thanks for all the insight. It helps
Rick
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[...] Bill Lockhart’s Blog » The Golden Ratio and Photographic Composition Composition is fundamental to photography. And, if you are like me, it is often problematic. I have tried to follow the “rule of thirds” in most of my compositions, but there are times, especially in landscape photography where the rule simply is not pleasing to my eyes. [...]
I think the problem here Bill is where one interprets the lines and corresponding subject matter !
) Two examples, the mountain shot has it’s hill base aligned along the top line but most of the hills themselves don’t really break into the to third, resulting in an image that definitely has too much weight pulling the frame down, doesn’t work at all in my mind for golden rule (although I deliberately ignore this rule in all of my work 
) The second of the bear, we could make an dynamic composition by placing the animal ‘almost’ anywhere in the picture and it would still intersect somewhere with one of the lines meaning that it works with the rule (conversely this means the rule is way too arbitrary and indeed formulaic).
I have serious doubts that many contemporary artists whether in photography or paint, stick to this rule in any way whatsoever (whether or not their compositions can be decided to fit the rule
)
Nevertheless, for those who are clueless about where to start, I’m sure it has it’s uses (YOU do not need to start worrying about your compositions BTW!
Very best wishes
Glyn
Hi Glyn,
Admittedly, my examples aren’t good ones. And perhaps I should have started out with the original shot, then shown the golden ratio crops, sort of a step by step example instead of jumping to the conclusion.
For example, here is a shot directly from the camera with a 4X3 ratio.
And here is the image cropped to the golden ratio.
To my eyes the golden ratio crop is more pleasing.
And I must say that the use of the golden ratio is very much alive today in the world of art, in architecture, and increasingly in photography. There is a flickr group that shows examples of its application.
As you have said to me repeatedly, in order to grow as artists we must constantly examine what we are doing. I never stop learning, nor do I ever stop making mistakes. Hopefully I’m gaining ground, learning from mistakes and trying always to be better.
This is just another tool in this ongoing process. Another way to look at what I am doing.
And too, perhaps a tool that others might employ as they consider ideas about composition that have been around for thousands of years.
Best regards,
Bill
The grid is supposed to show 9 equal parts, yours is way off, very narrow in the middles, try drawing a tic tac toe ( naughts and crosses ) grid you will get the idea.
Hi Dani,
The grid will show nine equal parts if rule of thirds is used. Not so if the golden rectangle is applied.
Best regards,
Bill
[...] http://www.bill.lockharts.com/blog/2010/02/04/the-golden-ratio-and-photographic-composition/ [...]
My first thought (for I am a meanie) on seeing Dani’s comment was “Ha ha, Dani missed the point”. I was thinking about it a bit more, though, and the rule of thirds can actually be considered a really bad approximation of the golden ratio.
The GR comes from the Fibonacci sequence:
1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,89, …
Dividing any number in the sequence by the number before it brings us closer to the GR:
1/1 = 1
2/1 = 2
3/2 = 1.5
5/3 = 1.67
8/5 = 1.6
13/8 = 1.625
21/13 = 1.615
34/21 = 1.619
and so on. But also, if we take 3 successive numbers in the sequence, and divide the 1st and 2nd by the 3rd, it gives us fractions of the image on which to draw our grid lines:
1,1,2 -> 1/2 and 1/2
1,2,3 -> 1/3 and 2/3
2,3,5 -> 2/5 and 3/5
…
21,34,55 -> 21/55 and 34/55
As we go through the sequence, the grid lines start to look more and more like Bill’s grid. Interestingly, though, the 2nd set (1/3 and 2/3) is Dani’s grid (i.e. the rule of thirds). The 1st set would be just 2 lines which cross at a single point, being the centre if the image.
As novices we often start placing our subjects centrally. Then we learn about the rule of thirds and start placing them somewhere on those grid lines. Until seeing Bill’s grid, I found it very difficult to visualize the GR, so I’d been approximating to 2/5 and 3/5.
Apologies to everyone to whom that’s not news
Hi Chrisbtoo,
Ah yes, the golden ratio.
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_ratio
See: http://mathworld.wolfram.com/GoldenRatio.html
Consider: The Fibonacci Sequence, http://mathforum.org/dr.math/faq/faq.golden.ratio.html
What I find fascinating is that the sequence can be seen in nature. Thus, the ratio is harmony of how things are shaped.
It is not wondrous that nature itself provides us with a harmonious balance, by which we as photographers, should abide with utmost sincerity and earnest?
Best regards,
Bill