Improve Your Photography Composition with the Golden Ratio

Photo and design by Are Ramstad

Enhance your photography skills with the golden ratio! This age-old compositional technique, used by masters of the craft, can elevate your shots to the next level of visual appeal. Not sure what the golden ratio is or how to use it? This tutorial will teach you all about it and show you how to apply it to your own photography.?

What is the Golden Ratio?

The golden ratio, also known as the divine proportion, is a mathematical concept that has been used in art and design for centuries. It's based on the idea that certain proportions are aesthetically pleasing to the human eye. The golden ratio can be represented by the Greek letter phi (φ) and is approximately equal to 1.618.

In photography, the golden ratio is used to compose shots in a way that is visually balanced and harmonious. It's all about finding the sweet spot between order and chaos, and creating a sense of balance and unity in the frame.

How to Use the Golden Ratio in Photography Composition:

There are a few different ways to use the golden ratio in your photography compositions. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Use the "Rule of Thirds"

One of the most well-known ways to use the golden ratio in photography is to follow the "Rule of Thirds." This involves dividing your frame into nine equal parts using two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines. The idea is to place your subject along one of the lines, or at the intersection of two lines. This creates a sense of balance and tension in the frame, and can help you to avoid placing your subject dead center.

Photo by Are Ramstad

Use the "Golden Spiral"

Another way to use the golden ratio in your compositions is to use the "Golden Spiral." This involves using a spiral shape to guide the placement of your subject within the frame. To create the Golden Spiral, you can use the "Rule of Thirds" grid as a starting point and then draw a spiral shape that follows the grid lines. This can help you to find the most aesthetically pleasing composition for your shot.

Stock photo

Experiment with Cropping

If you're not quite sure how to use the golden ratio in your compositions, try playing around with different crop ratios. Many cameras and phone cameras have a "golden ratio" crop option that you can use as a starting point. You can also try cropping your shots to a 1.618:1 ratio, which is roughly equivalent to the golden ratio. This can help you to find the most visually appealing composition for your shot.

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Summary:

The golden ratio is a powerful tool for creating visually balanced and harmonious compositions in your photography. Whether you use the "Rule of Thirds," the "Golden Spiral," or experiment with different crop ratios, incorporating the golden ratio into your compositions can help you to take your photography to the next level. So go ahead and give it a try – your shots will be on fleek in no time!

I hope that you found it informative and helpful. As someone who struggles with dyslexia, I want to let you know that I used a writing tool called OpenAI's GPT-3 to assist in the creation of this piece. GPT-3 has been an invaluable resource for me, helping me to fine-tune my writing and express my thoughts more clearly. While I was responsible for the overall direction and content of the post, GPT-3 helped me to refine the language and make the writing more cohesiv.