The Golden Ratio in Photography and Nature

cmr164

The mathematics of the golden ratio are trivial compared to trying to figure out the psychology as to why that ratio is particularly beautiful to the human eye. The ratio can be expressed in many ways. Some of which are below. Take a calculator and work out each for fun and enlightenment. The ratio is correctly called Phi.

Phi is most simply understood by:

1 = Phi * (Phi -1)
[think of 0.xxx * 1.xxxx =1 where xxx is the same infinite decimal]


((5^.5)*.5)+.5) then do ((5^.5)*.5)-.5) and compare the numbers

In photography try taking the rule of thirds and making it a rule of golden ratios. Starting from the left make the 1st line at .309 ( 1/2 of Phi-1 ) and the second at .618 do the same from the bottom up. Now try to place objects on the intesections. You can do the same from the top down and from the right to the left. How you orient depends on the flow of the image. IE left -> right, right -> left, etc. This is much more complex than the rule of thirds but the results will be more pleasing to the mind's eye.

If you draw all 8 lines on a rectangle and then draw the lines for the rule of thirds, you will see how the rule of thirds is just an approximation of a golden rule but without the direction of flow being considered.

For Phi in nature read the following
http://www.mcs.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/R.Knott/Fibonacci/fibnat.html
http://www.mcs.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/R.Knott/Fibonacci/fibnat2.html

Of course the primary url is: http://goldennumber.net/

cmr164

Molsondog wrote:

I keep tossing this up against the wall, but it won't stick. What does this mean in engrish?

My post was only up for 7 minutes before you replied. You can not possibly have done the math or drawn the lines on a rectangle let alone read the followup URLs I provided. Put in some effort and the results will be worth it.

Shakey

Nobody said anything about math when I signed up!:D

lynnma

cmr164 wrote:

The mathematics of the golden ratio are trivial compared to trying to figure out the psychology as to why that ratio is particularly beautiful to the human eye. The ratio can be expressed in many ways. Some of which are below. Take a calculator and work out each for fun and enlightenment. The ratio is correctly called Phi.

Phi is most simply understood by:

1 = Phi * (Phi -1)
[think of 0.xxx * 1.xxxx =1 where xxx is the same infinite decimal]


((5^.5)*.5)+.5) then do ((5^.5)*.5)-.5) and compare the numbers

In photography try taking the rule of thirds and making it a rule of golden ratios. Starting from the left make the 1st line at .309 ( 1/2 of Phi-1 ) and the second at .618 do the same from the bottom up. Now try to place objects on the intesections. You can do the same from the top down and from the right to the left. How you orient depends on the flow of the image. IE left -> right, right -> left, etc. This is much more complex than the rule of thirds but the results will be more pleasing to the mind's eye.

If you draw all 8 lines on a rectangle and then draw the lines for the rule of thirds, you will see how the rule of thirds is just an approximation of a golden rule but without the direction of flow being considered.

For Phi in nature read the following
http://www.mcs.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/R.Knott/Fibonacci/fibnat.html
http://www.mcs.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/R.Knott/Fibonacci/fibnat2.html

Of course the primary url is: http://goldennumber.net/

Charles.... I understand the concept but I'm so tied up in the math I'm ending up guessing where to draw the lines!! I'm LOUSY at math. I've printed it all out to study, and I did visit the links re Fibonacci bunnies etc. I think it's basically rule of thirds shoved over a bit (I hope).
Lynn

wxwax

cmr164 wrote:

Take a calculator and work out each for fun and enlightenment.

cmr, I take a calculator and beat it with a hammer for fun and enlightenment. I'm a lover, not a math major.

wxwax

Fascinating links. Thanks for posting them, cmr.

To keep it at my level, which is below the FAA required minimum flying altitude: in nature lots of things grow to the ratio found in the Golden Mean; they do so because it's an efficient structure; therefore the Golden Mean is pleasing to our eye because it reflects what we see in nature.

So to get into the psychology of it, if things in nature for some reason grew in square blocks (1:1?), we'd find that ratio pleasing when replicated in photographs.

As Fish said, I may be full of c**p, but I do it with such authority!

Great discussion, 164, very enlightening.

lynnma

wxwax wrote:

Fascinating links. Thanks for posting them, cmr.

To keep it at my level, which is below the FAA required minimum flying altitude: in nature lots of things grow to the ratio found in the Golden Mean; they do so because it's an efficient structure; therefore the Golden Mean is pleasing to our eye because it reflects what we see in nature.

So to get into the psychology of it, if things in nature for some reason grew in square blocks (1:1?), we'd find that ratio pleasing when replicated in photographs.

As Fish said, I may be full of c**p, but I do it with such authority!

Great discussion, 164, very enlightening.

so true Sid, attractive people are only that because of the Golden Mean, most efficient breeding structure with best demensions for reproducing the species... now if only I could fine my calculator... I have graph paper ready, I'm going to prove out the Golden Mean for compostion.
Lynn

lynnma

the golden mean...ish? rule of thirds? ish?

lynnma

lynnma wrote:

the golden mean...ish? rule of thirds? ish?

No.. this more rule of thirds I think... or maybe not.. I'm thirds challenged!!

GREAPER

I always hated fractions.

komet

wxwax wrote:

cmr, I take a calculator and beat it with a hammer for fun and enlightenment. I'm a lover, not a math major.

Wow!:ha