Golden Ratio in Photography: How to Use It

The golden ratio is a mathematical proportion of roughly 1 to 1.618 that appears throughout nature and art, and which many find naturally pleasing to the eye. In photography it gives you a way to place your subject and lead the viewer through the frame. Here’s what it is and how to use it.

The golden ratio, also known as the divine proportion, is a mathematical concept that has been used for centuries to create visually appealing compositions in art, architecture, and design.

In photography, the golden ratio is a popular composition technique that can be used to create balanced and aesthetically pleasing images. In this article, I will explain what the golden ratio is, how it works, and how it can be used in photography.

What is the Golden Ratio?

The golden ratio is a mathematical ratio that is found in nature, art, and architecture. It is represented by the Greek letter phi (φ) and has a value of approximately 1.618. The golden ratio is often associated with beauty, balance, and harmony, and is considered to be one of the fundamental principles of design.

The golden ratio is found in many natural patterns, such as the spirals of seashells and the growth patterns of plants. It is also found in many famous works of art and architecture, such as the Parthenon in Athens and the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci.

How Does the Golden Ratio Work?

The golden ratio is based on a geometric principle called the Fibonacci sequence. The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers in which each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers. The sequence begins with 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, and so on.

The golden ratio is found by dividing a line into two unequal parts, so that the longer part divided by the smaller part is equal to the whole length divided by the longer part.

This ratio can be expressed mathematically as:

a/b = (a+b)/a = φ

where a is the longer part of the line, b is the shorter part, and φ is the golden ratio.

In photography, the golden ratio can be used to create balanced and aesthetically pleasing compositions. This is achieved by dividing the frame at 38.2 and 61.8 per cent, horizontally and vertically, and placing the subject or the key elements where those lines cross. Note that this is not the rule of thirds, which divides at 33 and 67 per cent – the golden ratio lines sit a little closer to the centre, and that difference is the whole reason it is treated as a separate technique. This creates a sense of balance and harmony in the image, and draws the viewer’s eye to the most important elements of the composition.

How Can the Golden Ratio be Used in Photography?

The golden ratio can be used in a variety of ways in photography, including:

Composing the image: By dividing the frame at 38.2 and 61.8 per cent and placing the subject where those lines cross, you get a composition that sits slightly tighter to the centre than the rule of thirds would give you. This technique is often used in landscape and architectural photography, where the lines of the composition can be aligned with the natural or man-made lines of the subject.

Cropping the image: The golden ratio can also be used when cropping an image in post-processing. By cropping the image so that the subject or key elements are positioned according to the golden ratio, the image can be made more visually appealing and balanced.

Using the golden spiral: The golden spiral is a spiral that is based on the golden ratio and can be used to create dynamic and visually interesting compositions. The spiral is created by drawing a series of squares whose sides are equal to the Fibonacci sequence and then connecting the corners of the squares with a curve. This curve forms a spiral that can be used to guide the viewer’s eye through the image, leading to the subject or key elements of the composition.

Where the golden ratio does not apply: lighting. Light placement is governed by its angle to the subject and to the camera, and in most photographs the light is outside the frame altogether, so there is no intersection point to put it on. Use the grid for composition and judge the light on its own terms.

Golden Ratio and the Vitruvian Man

Slightly off the main topic (but still interesting), The Vitruvian Man is a famous drawing by Leonardo da Vinci that depicts the ideal proportions of the human body according to the principles of the Golden Ratio.

The drawing shows a man standing with his arms and legs extended, and is based on the work of the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius, who believed that the human body was the perfect model for architecture.

Da Vinci’s sketch of the Vitruvian Man shows the man’s body fitting perfectly into a circle and a square, with the navel as the centre point. The circle represents the divine and spiritual aspects of the human body, while the square represents the earthly and practical aspects.

Its proportions are actually built on simple whole-number fractions, as Vitruvius set them out: the arm span equals the height, the head is an eighth of it, the foot a sixth. The association with the golden ratio comes from da Vinci having illustrated Luca Pacioli’s book on the divine proportion, rather than from the drawing itself.

Both the Golden Ratio and the Vitruvian Man have been used in art and design throughout history as a way to create harmonious and aesthetically pleasing compositions. While the concepts can be quite complex, they are also accessible to beginners and can provide a useful framework for understanding the principles of art and design.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the golden ratio in simple terms?

It is a proportion of about 1:1.618 found widely in nature. Compositions that follow it tend to feel balanced and harmonious.

Is the golden ratio the same as the rule of thirds?

No, but they are related. The rule of thirds is a simpler grid; the golden ratio places the dividing lines a little closer to the centre, following the 1.618 proportion.

How do I use it when shooting?

Place your main subject or key lines along the golden ratio points rather than dead centre. Some cameras even offer a golden-ratio grid overlay.

Does it really make photos better?

It is a guide, not a rule. It often helps, but a strong photo can break it entirely. Use it as one tool among many.

Where does the golden ratio come from?

It is a proportion studied since ancient Greece and found in shells, flowers and the human body, which is why it feels so natural in images.