{"id":74406,"date":"2017-12-22T03:33:34","date_gmt":"2017-12-22T11:33:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=74406"},"modified":"2017-12-22T03:33:34","modified_gmt":"2017-12-22T11:33:34","slug":"composition-lesson-golden-triangle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/22\/composition-lesson-golden-triangle\/","title":{"rendered":"Composition Lesson: Golden Triangle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let us delve deeper into composition, this time with the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Golden triangle\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, also known as the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Golden section\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, or the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Golden rectangle\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Learn the fundamentals of composition<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Golden rectangle composition, from free pdf visualization on composition<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Download the free beginners guide to street photography<\/a>, for access to your free PDF visualization series on composition and more.<\/p>\n

\n

LEARN FROM THE MASTERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY<\/a><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>
LEARN FROM THE MASTERS by HAPTIC<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Find infinite inspiration in photography from the masters:<\/p>\n

Learn more about MASTERS ><\/a><\/p>\n

Buy MASTERS on Amazon ><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

How to draw the Golden triangle<\/h2>\n
\"Step
Step 0: start off with your black viewfinder<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Basic concept is that you start off with a rectangle (your viewfinder or frame), then draw a diagonal line from the bottom left to the top right of the frame.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Step 1: Diagonal line from bottom left to top right<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After, you draw the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153perpendicular\u00e2\u20ac\u009d line from the bottom right to the top middle, which intersects the prior diagonal line at a 90 degree angle.<\/p>\n

\"Step
Step 2: draw a diagonal line from bottom right, to top middle, perpendicular<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lesson: Your eyes are drawn to the intersecting points, called the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153eye\u00e2\u20ac\u009d:<\/p>\n

\"Note
Note how the lines are perpendicular at 90 degree angles all around<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Now if you want to get nerdy, then you can complete the lines, and you can see how your eyes are drawn to the intersecting points of the lines, which is called the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153EYE\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (outlined in white).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Or also drawn here:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

Golden triangle in bottom left corner<\/h2>\n

The Golden triangle can also be drawn in different directions. For example, drawn from the top right corner to the bottom left corner:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Also realize, you can draw two diagonal lines which are perpendicular to the primary diagonal. Therefore you have two \u00e2\u20ac\u0153EYES\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, or visual anchors for your eyes to fixate on:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Also drawn in the opposite direction:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Who sees this in real life?<\/h2>\n

Now, this guideline is useful for the following reason:<\/p>\n

\n Think in Diagonals when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re shooting, to create more dynamic compositions<\/a>.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Also, I think the Golden triangle is a good tool to analyze your photos AFTERWARDS \u00e2\u20ac\u201d to dissect and figure out why your photo compositions are good (or not).<\/p>\n

\n

To start, let us analyze the compositions of Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Also note, the Golden triangle can be applied to vertical images too.<\/p>\n

\n

1. Nude woman in water by Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/h2>\n

This photo by Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/a> perfectly shows the power of the Golden triangle:<\/p>\n

\"\"
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

2. Legs of Martine Franck by Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

3. Cindy in yukata in Uji, Kyoto:<\/h2>\n

Dynamic picture of Cindy, with the Golden triangle grid applied afterwards<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

4. Matisse<\/a> and doves by Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n
\"Golden
Golden triangle x Cindy minimalist composition<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is just a brief primer, but think about the Golden triangle while you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re shooting, to get more dynamic diagonals<\/a>, and also use it as a tool to analyze your photos afterwards.<\/p>\n

\"Golden<\/p>\n

Learn more about composition<\/h2>\n
\"Sergio
Sergio Larrain Compositions<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n