Photography

Basic Photography Lessons, The Golden Spiral Rule

Another practical use of the Golden Ratio is in the Golden Spiral Rule or the Golden Rectangle Rule. With this rule, the screen is divided along the longest side using the Golden ratio. The resulting smaller section is again divided the same way on the long side with the smaller section continuously rotating by 90 degrees every time. This process is repeated until the resulting rectangle is too small to be significantly divided further.

The point where the smallest rectangle lies is the "Power Point" where the subject should be positioned. Following the direction where the resulting rectangles are positioned, a spiral may be drawn connecting the outer corners and this line is used as a guide for the rest of the objects in the scene.

This rule helps you create a very fluid an naturally flowing photograph. It is the same rule that makes the photographs of a spiral staircase or a nautilus shell look so pleasing. The uses are not limited there though as you can always use it on objects on a scene that has a sense of increasing significance towards the subject, like the petals towards the center of the flower, or curled body of a cat towards it's eyes.