Composition Tool - Golden Spiral

by derricklim Thu Dec 17, 2009 11:02 am

Photographers know and use the Rule of Thirds (illustrated in choral colored lines above), but often mistake it as being synonymous with The Golden Mean (illustrated above in black). Although the two are very similar, The Rule of Thirds is a simplified and less exact rendering of The Golden Mean.

The rectangles created by the Golden Mean are of repeating and increasing size, and ultimately provide more fluid guidelines when used to compose an image.

Roughly duplicating the path of the Golden Spiral in your photographs will increase your odds of getting captivating results. As opposed to the static Rule of Thirds, the Golden Spiral forms a fluid line for the eye to trace through the picture.

This style of composition will invite the viewer's gaze into the picture along the line of the spiral, creating a more symmetrical visual flow, and an overall compelling viewing experience.

Start by placing the subject (or focal point) of your photograph in the tightest end of the spiral. The other elements of the picture should roughly follow the path of the spiral, whether that subject is a fence, a beach, a body of water, a mountain range, a row of trees, or even a crowd of people.

While the Golden Spiral is best suited for landscape photography where the lines are long and dramatic, it can also be effective in portrait photography and close-ups (see below).

Remember that the Golden Spiral can be rotated in the frame or transposed from top to bottom to give your pictures more variety in their composition. And don't be afraid to bend - or even break - the rules for the sake of increased creativity and originality.

In the following photograph from subscriber Chris Ganes of Manly, NSW, Australia, the focal point of the spiral has been shifted toward the center, yet the photo retains its symmetry and aesthetic appeal. The viewer is immediately drawn into the cat's eye, and then guided along its muzzle and head, forming a view path that ends at the tip of the paw.

Composition Tool - Golden Spiral Croppedcat-overlay-small