The Golden Rules
“Time is money, so why squander pixels which don’t express your intentions.”
Photographers have interpreted the Fibonacci Golden Spiral, Golden Triangles, and Golden Ratio as a process to not only strengthen the concept of their images but as a means to move a viewer's eye within the frame. Like exceptional storytelling, great photographs lead a viewer to what was inherent to the photographer to create the image. Furthermore, not removing distracting elements can diminish any image's impact, comparable to using too many words in copy that don't convey anything.
The Golden Spiral
Italian Leonardo Fibonacci founded the Fibonacci Spiral. He identified a recurring mathematical pattern to define nature's proportions regardless of the subject's size. This phenomenon can also be observed in investment decisions when attempting to find the perfect ratio between risk and security in a financial portfolio.
This is an example of the spiral overlay in Lightroom. Note how your eye travels from the ceiling fresco outward. Because the human eye is attracted to identifiable shapes or objects, it will then move to the rest of the scene to complete it. The spiral on this photograph is a perfect example of creating interest, tension, and leading lines that aren't immediately apparent.
The Golden Triangle
The golden triangle is advantageous if the scene is composed of many diagonal lines and maybe more open space than the subject matter. It is based on the golden ratio principles and the rule of thirds, using the edges of the triangle to position the various elements within the frame.
Below is an example of the triangle overlay in Lightroom. Locating the subject on any of the triangle intersections creates a more artistically pleasing photograph. Exact alignment isn't essential, nor do the details in your scene need to be straight; it is sufficient if evident. This image comprised of an identifiable subject with a foreground to provide a different perspective is outlined vertically by horizontal elements, but note the placement of the Eifel Tower falls almost on an intersection breaking the image horizontally into the same perspectives.
The Golden Ratio
Dividing a frame into thirds both vertically and horizontally is well known as the rule of thirds. However, you can take this one level further by narrowing the middle section of the frame and concentrating the subjects within this third while crossing intersections to focus the viewer's attention.
Below is an example of the golden ratio overlay in Lightroom. This ratio is beneficial in architectural photography when leading lines are apparent. Locating these lines on the golden ratio quadrants adds interest to the image while highlighting the differences between the higher and lower sections—the leading lines with people crossing the bridge guide the eye and provides scale.
Like a great novel, compelling storytelling entails attaining the ideal ratio of content and illustrations to communicate. Plots are comparable to photographs. If you include too many twists, the reader is confused about the subject. Characters are like the content. If you omit a critical person, the copy loses the flow and, ultimately, the reader's attention.