The Phi Grid
When photographers get together to chat about composition techniques, it seems that they've all heard about the rule of thirds, but not many know of the Phi Grid. This is a pity because the Phi Grid is a creative option that has some distinct advantages. Here's how you can use this artistic composition rule in your photographs to make them even more expressive and interesting.
What is the Phi Grid?
The Phi Grid has a very similar design to the rule of thirds because it has two horizontal lines and two vertical lines. However, rather than having nine equal sections, the lines on the Phi Grid are moved slightly towards the center to align with the Golden Ratio, which is a mathematical concept and a pattern often found in nature. Using this system helps artists and photographers create balanced and pleasing images.
Compared to the even balance of the rule of thirds layout, the slight variation of this form of composition adds a bit of tension to an image. That word 'tension' may seem negative, but in photography, it means there is a dynamic element that attracts and holds the attention of the viewer. In the case of the Phi Grid, the tension comes from having the smaller middle section. The whole idea of being creative with composition is to make a viewer pause and thoughtfully consider the image you captured, and the Phi Grid achieves this result with a minimum of fuss.
What are the Advantages of the Phi Grid?
When photographing landscapes, there's a dilemma with the rule of thirds setting. The sky either fills the top third, or it uses two-thirds of the image. Incorporating the top third works well if it is a relatively empty area of blue sky. And having the top two-thirds for the sky is appropriate if the image is packed with bulging storm clouds. But sometimes, you need more of a balance between these two options. There are many times when a landscape needs clouds to be prominent in the image without detracting from the scene below them. Having a slightly lower line at the top of the Phi Grid (compared to the rule of thirds technique) means you get the best of both worlds without resorting to having the horizon in the middle of the image, which often looks amateurish.
The other useful factor in the Phi Grid is that you still have the intersecting points on the lines to guide you in the direction of subject placement. Whenever possible, make sure you position the main subject at the hot spots where the lines meet. These are power-points that the viewer's eyes will immediately be drawn to. To help your composition even further, make sure any important elements from the scene fall along one of the horizontal or vertical lines to make the composition of your photo even stronger.
When Should You Use the Phi Grid?
The most common time to use the Phi Grid is when taking landscape photos. It creates a level of visual harmony rarely achieved through other artistic composition rules. The balance between land and sky is just right!
Seascapes also benefit from this grid, especially when colorful sunsets are involved. When the horizon is along the top line, you have an almost symmetrical image, but the radiant clouds have plenty of space to be the feature of the image. And yet, there's still enough room for vibrant reflections on the water as well. It's a winning combination for your image.
An advantage of seeing the Phi Grid on the screen of your iPhone before you take the photo is that you keep the horizon level. Open the Wise Camera app and choose the Phi Grid option to use the guidelines to make sure the horizon is straight. One of the easiest ways to ruin a good photo is to have a landscape or seascape tipping at a weird angle.
Other subjects suitable for the Phi Grid are architecture and portraits. There are usually plenty of existing lines on buildings to match the grid, and it's just a matter of choosing appropriate ones to make the structure look balanced and interesting. Portraits benefit when using this grid because you keep the subject away from the center, which sometimes looks too static.
The Wise Camera app makes it easy to overlay a Phi Grid onto the scene in front of you. Work out what you want to use as the main subject for your image and place it along with one of the guidelines. If suitable, try and position it at one of the spots where the lines meet. Now it's time to turn your photo into a story. There was a reason you chose your subject; let the viewer know what interested you by explaining it in visual terms. Look for objects or shapes in the background that have relevance to the overall image. They could be painted lines, angular shadows, or the corners of buildings. To illustrate how this works, imagine taking a photo of a university professor at her desk. Set the Phi Grid, so she is at one of the intersecting points. Then move around until the shelves of books in the background align with one of the horizontal parts of the grid. These shelves stacked with dusty books add to the story of who she is and what she does for a living, but best of all, and they also form leading lines that direct the viewer's eyes to the professor. Unless you tell a story with this photo, all you have is a picture of a person, rather than an image that people will admire for its balance, style, and humanity.
The Phi Grid is the foundation for harmonious photos. If you want to see how often famous photographers use the Phi Grid, download a few of their images to your iPhone and open the Wise Photos app. In this app, you can place composition guidelines over the images to see which technique these photographers applied. It's a useful way to become more aware of the importance of subject placement within an image. Then use this clever app on your own photos to re-crop and tweak the position of the main elements, and you'll see a huge difference in their appeal.
Summary
Is the Phi Grid better than the rule of thirds? It definitely has advantages in many situations. Most people opt for the rule of thirds by default, but mainly because they don't know about the Phi Grid. You now have an advantage over many other photographers! When the rule of thirds doesn't feel right, switch to the Phi Grid, and you'll probably find that its mathematical division of space makes a more intelligent and thoughtful style of photo.
PHI GRID
Good for most scenes and often provides a more pleasing balance for landscapes, horizons, and portraits than the Rule of Thirds.
The Phi Grid is a composition technique inspired by the Golden Ratio, a mathematical principle often observed in nature that creates a sense of balance and visual harmony. Similar to the Rule of Thirds, the Phi Grid divides the frame into horizontal and vertical lines, but these lines are slightly closer to the center, with the grid proportions reflecting the Golden Ratio (roughly 3/8ths on the top and bottom, and 2/8ths in the middle). This subtle shift allows for a more natural and aesthetically pleasing composition. Place the main subject and supporting elements at the intersection of two lines or along a line.
What it's good for
The Phi Grid enhances the visual impact of the foreground and creates a harmonious balance between the main subject, supporting elements, and the background. It’s particularly effective when you want to emphasize the foreground or create compositions that feel more organic and aligned with natural aesthetics. For scenes with prominent horizons or landscapes, the Phi Grid often offers a more pleasing result than the Rule of Thirds.
When to use it
The Phi Grid is ideal when you want to create balanced and natural-looking compositions that align with the Golden Ratio. It works particularly well in landscape photography, where distinct horizons benefit from a harmonious division between the sky and foreground, offering a more pleasing result than the Rule of Thirds. It is also useful when emphasizing the foreground, such as in close-up landscapes or environmental portraits, as the inward grid lines give it more prominence. The Phi Grid excels in scenes with depth and layers, helping to balance elements like the foreground, middle ground, and background for a cohesive composition. It is especially effective for creating organic and natural aesthetics, aligning with patterns seen in nature, and for achieving a balanced focus that emphasizes the main subject while leaving space for supporting elements and background details.
Steps to apply the artistic composition
Identify the Main Subject: Look for the largest, closest, or most interesting object in your scene.
Find Supporting Elements: Observe smaller objects in the background or around the main subject that enhance the composition.
Align with the Phi Grid: Position the main subject at an intersection or along one of the grid lines, and place supporting elements along the lines or intersections to balance the composition.
Focus on the Foreground: Use the grid’s inward lines to emphasize the foreground, adding depth and impact to the photo.
Experiment with Horizons: For landscapes, align the horizon with one of the horizontal grid lines to create a more pleasing and harmonious composition.
NOTE: The Phi Grid composition rule is based on the Fibonacci ratio of 1.618, which might not be the same ratio as your photo.
Phi Grid
