Both Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop feature Golden Ratio overlays to help you crop your images to compositional perfection.īy practicing cropping and editing your photos specifically with the Fibonacci Spiral in mind, you’ll get better at learning to spot the spiral when you’re out with your camera. Many photographers like to edit their photos with Fibonacci’s Spiral in mind. Post-Processing to Highlight the Golden Spiral If you find yourself wishing you had a Golden Spiral overlay, just use the rule of thirds overlay and compose your photo so the center of your spiral is located at any of the intersecting lines. However, while the rule of thirds is a common viewfinder overlay, the Golden Spiral usually requires you to use your imagination. Many digital cameras have viewfinder overlays to help you compose your photographs. They are very close in concept but not identical. You may find that the placement of your focal point with the Golden Spiral is similar to where you may position the subject when practicing the rule of thirds. You can flip it as needed or even rotate it to achieve your composition. Although, keep in mind that you can reorient the spiral overlay in any direction. Try to match curves in the scene to the flow of the Fibonacci Spiral. When the scene before you features flowing curves, it can be easier to identify and compose elements that relate to the Golden Spiral. Very few natural elements feature straight lines and right angles. Look for Spiral Compositions in the Scene Although, it is possible to practice this technique with multiple subjects. Typically, composing with the Fibonacci Spiral is easier when you have a single subject or focal point.

$fibonacci spiral composition$

Whatever the focal point is, if you can strategically place it within the Golden Spiral, then you’ll have a stronger composition. What is the point of interest in the scene before you? Is it the human body? A tree? A building? Now that we’ve covered the basics of the Fibonacci Spiral, here are a few easy ways to start using this engaging composition technique in your own work. How to Use the Fibonacci Spiral in your Photography Composition By looking for sources of the golden ratio in the world around you as a composition guide, you can create your own pleasing compositions in photographs. Plenty of famous works of art - from The Last Supper to the Mona Lisa - use the concept of the Golden Spiral to engage viewers and create balance. When the Fibonacci Sequence is translated into geometry, you get a naturally pleasing composition featuring a spiral that increases in size at a predictable rate. Many objects in nature, from the nautilus shell to leaves and coral, feature branching ratios and curved lines that relate to the Fibonacci numbers. You may be wondering how a series of numbers translates into a photographic composition technique. How Does the Fibonacci Sequence Translate to Photography?

It’s an infinite series of numbers, but the Fibonacci Sequence starts as follows: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55 - and so on. The Fibonacci Sequence is a series of numbers beginning with 0 and 1, where the next number is always found by adding the previous two. It was first discovered by Leonardo Fibonacci, a mathematician in the Middle Ages. The Fibonacci Spiral, also known as the Golden Spiral or the Golden Ratio, is based on a mathematical concept called the Fibonacci Sequence. Although, once you get the hang of it, you’ll really see a difference in your photographs. The Fibonacci Spiral is a powerful composition technique that is a little more complex. These rules are often simple to grasp and practice. You may have heard of popular composition rules like the rule of thirds or using leading lines. These compositional techniques are a great way to develop as a photographer.

When working to create better compositions, you’ll encounter many composition rules. Understanding the Fibonacci Spiral, or Golden Ratio, is a great starting point. Regardless of what genre of photography you enjoy, practicing useful composition techniques can help you create unique and compelling images that engage the viewer’s eye. Creating powerful compositions is one of the most important skills for photographers to develop.

Fibonacci spiral composition