Application to Photography

Well-recognized 20th-Century photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson utilized the full-frame 3:2 aspect ratio of 35mm film in his photos. Modern-day photographer Alex Mabini examined Cartier-Bresson's work, deducing that the Golden Ratio can be applied as a compositional aid.*

Considering this in my own professional portrait photography work, I wondered if the Golden Spiral might be applied to composition in photos I have taken. I was amazed to find that though I did not consider this compositional technique in taking these photos (taken in October, 2007), they do exhibit the Golden Spiral, helping provide balance and viewer satisfaction. Position the mouse over each image to see the Golden Spiral appear on top of the image.

Place the mouse over this photo
to see the relationship between the Golden Spiral
and the compostional guide known by photographers
and designers as the Rule of Thirds:

My three children posed with composition in mind

I believe these examples provide evidence of the beneficial use of the Fibonacci series and the Golden Spiral derived from it.

©2008 Barry Lawrensen

 

 

*http://fotogenetic.dearingfilm.com/golden_rectangle.html