Golden Ratio
Golden Ratio
There is a common mathematical ratio that was found in nature that can be used to create a natural looking composition in all sorts of medias. This ratio is called the Golden Ratio, the Golden Mean, the Golden Section, or the Greek letter Phi (φ).
What is the Golden Ratio?
The Golden Ratio is based off the Fibonacci numbers and is used to describe relationships between two proportions. In math, the Fibonacci numbers are numbers in the following sequence; 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144...
These numbers follow a 1:1.61 ratio, we refer to this as the Golden Ratio. The Golden Ratio is found all over the place in nature, it is pleasing to the eye and this is why use it in photography, art, and design.
There is a common mathematical ratio that was found in nature that can be used to create a natural looking composition in all sorts of medias. This ratio is called the Golden Ratio, the Golden Mean, the Golden Section, or the Greek letter Phi (φ).
What is the Golden Ratio?
The Golden Ratio is based off the Fibonacci numbers and is used to describe relationships between two proportions. In math, the Fibonacci numbers are numbers in the following sequence; 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144...
These numbers follow a 1:1.61 ratio, we refer to this as the Golden Ratio. The Golden Ratio is found all over the place in nature, it is pleasing to the eye and this is why use it in photography, art, and design.
History
It is thought that the Golden Ratio has been used for the past four thousand years in art and design. The Golden Ratio could have been around for longer than that and some people argue that this ratio was used to build the pyramids. Pythagoras (560-480 BC), a Greek geometer, was very interested in the Golden Section. He proved that it was the basis for the proportions of the human figure. He showed that the human body is built with a Golden Proportion to all the other parts.
His discoveries had a tremendous effect on Greek art. Every part of a building and their decorations were built with this proportion.
It is thought that the Golden Ratio has been used for the past four thousand years in art and design. The Golden Ratio could have been around for longer than that and some people argue that this ratio was used to build the pyramids. Pythagoras (560-480 BC), a Greek geometer, was very interested in the Golden Section. He proved that it was the basis for the proportions of the human figure. He showed that the human body is built with a Golden Proportion to all the other parts.
His discoveries had a tremendous effect on Greek art. Every part of a building and their decorations were built with this proportion.
Examples
(Click on a picture to view caption)
(Click on a picture to view caption)
How to Use Golden Ratio
The Quick Way
The quickest way to get Golden Ratio like proportions is to use the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is where you divide your picture into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) to create nine equal sections. When you place objects on the lines and their intersections you get a more dynamic photo. The rule of thirds can be applied to any shape whereas if you apply it to a rectangle with approximately 1:1.6 proportions you will get very close to a Golden Rectangle. This will help make your piece more pleasing to the eye.
The Full Way
If you want to use the Golden Ratio in a webdesign , for example, make sure your content area and your side bar has a 1:1.61 ratio.You can also divide the content and sidebar using the the same ratio. Your whole webpage can be designed using a basic Golden Ratio. There are many websites that will do this for you or if you keep reading you can learn to do it on your own.
The Quick Way
The quickest way to get Golden Ratio like proportions is to use the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is where you divide your picture into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) to create nine equal sections. When you place objects on the lines and their intersections you get a more dynamic photo. The rule of thirds can be applied to any shape whereas if you apply it to a rectangle with approximately 1:1.6 proportions you will get very close to a Golden Rectangle. This will help make your piece more pleasing to the eye.
The Full Way
If you want to use the Golden Ratio in a webdesign , for example, make sure your content area and your side bar has a 1:1.61 ratio.You can also divide the content and sidebar using the the same ratio. Your whole webpage can be designed using a basic Golden Ratio. There are many websites that will do this for you or if you keep reading you can learn to do it on your own.
Advanced Skill
How to create your own Golden Ratio
Golden Triangles
If you connect the points of a regular pentagon you get two different Golden Triangles. The isoceles triangle (the green one) has two base angles of 72 degrees. If you bisect one of the angles, we should get another Golden Triangle (Figure 1). If you continue doing this you should get a set of Whirling Triangles (Figure 2). This is the equivalent to the Golden Rectangle (which is used more often).
If you connect the points of a regular pentagon you get two different Golden Triangles. The isoceles triangle (the green one) has two base angles of 72 degrees. If you bisect one of the angles, we should get another Golden Triangle (Figure 1). If you continue doing this you should get a set of Whirling Triangles (Figure 2). This is the equivalent to the Golden Rectangle (which is used more often).