by Craig Hull
When it comes to compositional rules, it is very much a battle between golden ratio vs rule of thirds. Both are very handy when trying to guide how the viewer’s eyes go around an image.
In this article we’ll give you all the info you need to know when to use one over the other.
What Is the Golden Ratio?
The golden ratio is a compositional tool, also known as the Fibonacci spiral. It is what you get when you do some complex maths on a rectangle: a/b = (a+b)/a = 1.61803398875. In a short form ratio, it is 1:1.618. The golden ratio is part of every natural object (flora and fauna). It comes across as being a very magical number. This is a balanced composition for those who view your images. We prefer images that are somehow harmonized, and the golden ratio is one way to balance your image. It keeps your viewer’s travelling around your image evenly.
The great thing about the golden ratio is that you can use it in 8 different ways. Four with a portrait orientation and four with a landscape orientation. What Is the Golden Ratio?
The rule of thirds is another compositional rule. The great thing about this is that our cameras and, more often than not, image editing software, can help us out. If you place two imaginary horizontal lines along your scene, one at 1/3 and the second at 2/3, you’re halfway. Next, place two lines vertically, again at 1/3 and 2/3.
You get something like this.
The rule of thirds is a "rule of thumb" or guideline which applies to the process of composing visual images such as designs, films, paintings, and photographs.
Here's 2 examples of it.
Which Is Better?
When it comes to Golden Ratio vs Rule of Thirds, these compositions really depend on what you are photographing. As a general rule, the rule of thirds is best used for the most minimal scenarios. These would include simple portraits or images of one object. This wouldn’t work for product photography, for example. Here, the object is the main focus, and creativity takes a backseat to presentable information. If there is only one subject or object in your scene, you can heighten the interest by placing it using the rule of thirds concept. If there is more happening in your scene, the viewer’s eyes are going to move around much more.
By using the golden ratio concept, the viewer’s eyes will move along the line, resting on the end of the spiral. This is best used for travel images where there are many things happening in the scene.
They could be people, buildings, and other subjects or objects. This rule of composition is better used to tell a story. There is more information than just one focal point.
Deciding which composition is better is difficult. When we enter the world of photography, we all have the rule of thirds rammed down our throats. It is by far the most talked about and common compositional rule, but also the most hated.
It is true – we find images more pleasing when focal points sit on these intersections. But it really depends on the scene. If we have a scenario where nothing much isn’t happening, we would use the rule of thirds. It helps make it into something better.
This is something we can do as we photograph. Our cameras show us this grid in both the viewfinder and live view via the LCD screen. The rule of thirds doesn’t take up too much mental activity to follow.
The golden ratio is more complex. I can guarantee, no photographer is sitting there, camera to the face, looking for the golden ratio. It would take too long, especially if you are capturing street,portrait or sport photography.
The golden ratio is a great tool to crop images. It serves as a great tool when editing your images. The rule of thirds is also great for this. Most of us use it without thinking.