The Golden Triangle
Video: Golden Triangle
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DIFFICULT
MODERATE
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Main subject and supporting elements you might need
Good for scenes such as landscapes, path elements, and street photography with diagonal lines.
The Golden Triangle
Creating a memorable photo requires more than aiming the camera in the general direction of a pretty view. If you want your images to look like the ones you see on the Instagram pages of famous photographers, you must use an artistic composition rule like the Golden Triangle.
What is the Golden Triangle?
Using the idea of triangular shapes in photographs isn’t new. It reflects what we see in our environment. The image of a group of friends always looks better when the tallest person is in the middle, and the shorter ones are at the sides. This mirrors majestic natural shapes like the Matterhorn mountain in Switzerland and architectural marvels like the Great Pyramid of Giza. In their upright form, looking at these triangles has an uplifting psychological effect. The triangle’s wide base and pointy top make it look solid and stable. Can you now imagine an inverted pyramid with its tip wedged in the desert sand? It seems likely to topple at any moment. Just looking at this image makes many people uncomfortable. It gives the feeling of instability and creates tension. This is the power that triangles of different shapes have on the viewer.
The Golden Triangle is different from both of the examples just described because it varies from the equal-angled triangle. It’s not symmetrical, so it affects you in other ways. Look at the Golden Triangle on the Wise Camera app and imagine the apex of the large triangle overlaid onto the scene of railway tracks. This produces a stunning image of perspective. Because this upright triangle is simple and has a well-defined shape, it brings a feeling of order and depth to the image.
The Golden Triangle has a line running diagonally from one corner to the other. This makes two triangles. A line is then drawn from one of the other corners to meet the diagonal line at right angles. Because of the rectangular shape of a standard photograph, these triangles differ in size. This is what creates the dynamic tension in the image, making it so interesting. Placing your subjects on angles to match the lines on the iPhone’s screen makes a balanced but lively composition. Diagonal lines help you avoid static and boring shots, suggesting movement and flow instead. Because of the way the Golden Triangle’s shapes dominate an image, they lead the viewer’s eyes on an adventure, traveling from one compositional element to the next. It’s a subtle process that happens without awareness, but it makes us enjoy a photo more.
When to Use the Golden Triangle
The best way to use the shape of the Golden Triangle in a composition is to fill one of the triangles with the main subject or diagonal position shapes from a scene, so they run along with two of the lines. Placing a significant part of the subject matter at a point where two guidelines intersect gives you extra bonus points for composition.
A good photo always tells a story; it takes the viewer on a journey around the picture. Through the Wise Camera app, use the largest triangle for your main subject, so it forms a solid foundation for the rest of your story, then lines up another element in one of the triangles pointing towards the main feature. Shafts of light through shadowed streets, extended legs of a beautiful model, and rolling hills in landscape shots are all perfect examples of how the Golden Triangle is used to create balanced and exciting photos. For even greater effect, place supporting elements along any of the diagonal lines. If necessary, tap the screen to switch the triangles around, so your scene fits this form of composition in a natural way.
Landscapes with large, sloping mountain ranges and seascapes with waves rising to one side of the frame—they all have diagonal lines that fit the classical Golden Triangle format. Download the Wise Photos app to see how your photos improve through clever cropping and the thoughtful placement of the main parts of the photographic story you are telling through your image. With the Wise Photos app, you can easily overlay Golden Triangle lines onto one of your existing photos to check, adapt, and improve composition.
The Golden Triangle composition is also helpful in portrait photography. If a standard, upright portrait looks a bit dull, have the person lean forward while seated. Bending the arms and legs makes diagonals that fit the Golden Triangle. Then move in close to your subject for another shot and use the two focal points at the intersection of the lines to emphasize the combination of their head and shoulders. Move closer again and do the same with the eyes and face. Or step back and use the angle of the person’s body to follow the main diagonal while keeping the face at an intersecting line.
How Does it Improve Your Photos?
Every photo is improved by thoughtful composition, and the Golden Triangle provides structure to an image that is balanced yet lively. The viewer becomes engaged with the image because, for a change, their eyes track diagonal lines rather than the traditional horizontal and vertical format.
Roads, fences, and rivers are good examples of diagonal lines that offer perspective and depth to an image. Starting from the corner of the scene, the viewer follows these lines, and they are taken deeper into the story of the image, finding interesting subplots along the way. Incorporating lines and angles into your compositions create eye-catching photos. And the Golden Triangle makes your subject stand out in an intelligent and classical way.
Final Words
Although the Golden Triangle isn’t commonly known, it was used in paintings and sculptures for centuries. And this artistic composition rule is still used by many professional photographers to make their images more sophisticated. The next time you switch on your iPhone’s camera, open the Wise Camera app and look for triangular shapes to create an image that is unique and powerful.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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What is the Rule of Thirds?The Rule of Thirds is a composition technique used in photography where the frame is divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. Positioning the subject along these lines or at their intersections moves the subject away from the center, creating a more balanced and engaging image.
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Why is the Rule of Thirds important in photography?It adds a simple but dynamic element to photo composition, moving the subject away from the center of the frame to create a well-balanced, harmonious image. This technique makes the photo more interesting and engaging by shifting the weight of the image and providing an unconscious appreciation for its balance.
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Can the Rule of Thirds be applied to all types of photography?Yes, the Rule of Thirds is versatile and can be used for various types of photography including landscapes, portraits, street photography, wildlife, fashion photos, and more. It works well in both horizontal and vertical formats, making it applicable to a wide range of subjects and scenes.
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How does the Rule of Thirds benefit landscape photography specifically?For landscape shots, positioning the horizon one-third of the way from the top or bottom of the frame rather than in the center can make the photo more compelling. This technique allows the photographer to emphasize interesting textures in the foreground or dramatic skies, depending on the horizon's placement.
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What are hot spots in the Rule of Thirds and how are they used?Hot spots refer to the points where the grid lines intersect in the Rule of Thirds grid. Placing your subject at one of these intersecting points incorporates an extra key element into the photo's design. For example, in portraits, aligning the person’s head or an eye at a hot spot can significantly enhance the image's impact.
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How can the Rule of Thirds improve photos that seem lacking?Revisiting photos with the wisdom of hindsight and applying the Rule of Thirds can breathe new life into images that may not have received the attention they deserve. Using this composition technique can often reveal it as the missing piece in the composition puzzle, making the photo more appealing and well-composed.
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What is negative space in photography?Negative space refers to the area around the main subject of a photograph that is left empty or uncluttered. This compositional technique emphasizes the main subject by providing lots of room around it, directing the viewer's focus to the subject and adding a sense of calmness and contemplation to the image.
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How does negative space impact the viewer's perception of a photo?Negative space creates a dramatic effect that makes the viewer stop and consider the impact of the photo. It draws attention to the main subject, induces feelings of solitude and peacefulness, and provokes curiosity about the photographer's intent by breaking traditional photography rules.
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What is the difference between positive and negative space?Positive space in a photo is the area occupied by the subject, whereas negative space is the area around the subject. Using a lot of negative space can make the subject stand out more prominently, offering a clear contrast between the subject and its surroundings without making the image feel crowded or cluttered.
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Can negative space have color or texture?Yes, negative space doesn't have to be completely white or blank. It can include color or texture, such as a blue sky or a field of grass, as long as these elements do not distract from the main subject. The key is to maintain contrast and ensure that the background objects in the negative space do not draw attention away from the focal point.
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How can photographers effectively use negative space in their compositions?Photographers can use negative space by ensuring that the background occupies more space in the frame than the subject. Using the Wise Camera app, photographers can position their subject within a guided area, leaving ample space around it as indicated by the app's guidelines. This approach helps in isolating the subject and drawing the viewer's attention directly to it.
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What are some tips for creating negative space in photos taken with an iPhone?When using an iPhone, photographers can take advantage of its wide angle of view to leave extra space around the subject, emphasizing the negative space. If necessary, photos can be cropped afterward using the Wise Photos app to adjust the composition and create a more impactful negative space image.
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What is the Left to Right composition rule in photography?The Left to Right composition rule involves positioning the subject on the left side of the frame, making them look or move towards the right. This technique leverages the natural way viewers scan an image, particularly in cultures accustomed to reading from left to right, creating a dynamic and engaging visual flow.
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Why position the subject on the left side of the image?Positioning the subject on the left side of the image takes advantage of the natural reading and viewing habits of people in Western cultures, who tend to scan images starting from the left. This positioning guides viewers through the image in a comfortable and familiar pattern, enhancing the photo's impact.
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How does the Left to Right rule enhance storytelling in photographs?By having the subject look or move towards the right, photographers can introduce a sense of direction, movement, and mystery to their images. This technique encourages viewers to ponder what has captured the subject's attention or where they are heading, adding a storytelling aspect to the photograph.
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Can the Left to Right rule be applied to all types of photography?Yes, the Left to Right rule can be applied across various photography genres, including sports, street photography, portraits, and more. It is especially effective in scenes with moving subjects, such as racing cars, sailboats, airplanes, and people walking or running.
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How does cultural reading direction influence the effectiveness of this composition rule?Cultural reading direction significantly influences how viewers perceive an image. In cultures where reading occurs from right to left, such as those using Arabic and Hebrew scripts, the visual path through an image may be reversed. Photographers working in these cultures might place the main subject on the right side of the frame for a more natural viewing experience for their audience.
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How can photographers implement the Left to Right rule in their work?Photographers can implement the Left to Right rule by using tools like the Wise Camera app, which offers guidelines for positioning subjects. They should ensure the subject is placed on the left, looking or moving towards the right, and leave ample space on the right side of the frame for the subject to "move into." This composition approach makes photos more appealing and engaging to viewers, encouraging them to explore the entire image.