Hey, this is photography right?
Step 1: Evaluate the scene
Exactly how you use the golden ratio depends on the scene in front of you. Composition techniques are there to help you think about the scene instead of just pointing and shooting.
Step 2: Determine whether to use the golden ratio or the golden spiral (or even the Rule of Thirds)
Next, choose between the golden spiral and the phi grid. You can’t contort a straight object to fit inside a spiral, so if your scene has great leading lines, try the phi grid.
Step 3: Imagine the overlay and shoot
Imagining a complex spiral aligned over your photo can be tricky at first. If you simplify the concept, it’s a bit easier to manage.
First, check and see which grid overlays your camera has built-in by viewing the options in settings. If your camera has a phi grid or spiral option, turn that feature on. Most will have the Rule of Thirds. Even when that isn’t the composition guide you are using, it’s helpful to enable that feature.
Step 4: Edit
Picturing the phi grid or golden ratio spiral as you shoot is one thing, but what if you want that exact 1.618 magic number? Thankfully Photoshop (and several other photo editors) have tools for that.
Hope this helped!
