Golden Triangle Composition | How to Use Golden Triangle in Photography Composition – YOUTUBER | PHOTOGRAPHER

Today we are gonna talk about Golden Triangles, also known as the “Golden section”, or the “Golden rectangle”, where we use diagonals in the photo to give it a more dynamic feel.

What is the Rule of The Golden Triangles?

Imagine your frame and draw a diagonal line from the top left corner, and draw it down to the bottom right corner. It doesn’t matter which corners, you need a diagonal line across your frame.

Now from the bottom left corner draw a line up to the diagonal line, which intersects it at right angles. Do the same thing with a line from the top right corner that also intersects the original line at right angles.

You will now have triangles that form the photographic composition known as the golden triangle. This composition can also be formed with either a vertical or horizontal rectangle.

It’s kinda like the rule of thirds, but there we draw 2 vertical and 2 horizontal lines. Here we draw diagonal lines instead of straight ones. As with the rule of thirds, you’re aiming to put your point of interest over any point of intersection.

How to use Golden Triangles?

You can use the golden triangle in two ways:

1. You can place your subject directly along the diagonals, this will give your subject direction and help your viewer land directly where you want them to.

2. You can fill the triangle with your subject and use the shape of your subject to create the triangles which lead your viewer to the main area of the image you are highlighting and create symmetry and balance.

5 tips I wanna give you to do that:

1. Point of Interest

Just like the in rule of thirds, position the elements of the photo are most important at or near the intersections of the diagonals. In a portrait, the subject’s eyes can be placed along the lines of the diagonals. Similarly, you can compose your macro and bird photos.

2. Leading Lines

Leading lines are the lines that lead up to the subject in the photo. This is what makes your photo a golden triangle composition as opposed to the rule of thirds. So look for a diagonal line that leads up to your main subject. In landscape photography, a road that diagonally cuts through your frame to the main subject would be ideal.

3. Experiment

You may need to move around to get the best composition. You can play with the angles to create diagonals. For portraits, you should also be looking to use the arms and legs to create the diagonals that form the golden triangles. When your horizon line isn’t flat you have more options for forming the golden triangle composition. Use a diagonal horizon line that leads towards your main subject.

4. Empty Space

Try to keep some empty space on the top and the bottom. This technique also helps you balance your composition as you can place the subject at one intersecting point and a secondary element at the 2^nd point.

5. Post Processing

Use the 3×3 grid in your camera to frame your subjects in the camera. Try to place the subjects a little away from the lines or just space them out a bit. Then use composition overlay while post processing your images to help you in applying this rule effectively.

While at first, it will be difficult to see in this new composition the more you practice the easier it will become. If you use the rule of thirds in your photos, maybe it’s time to go a step further and try the Rule of the Golden triangles.

I hope you liked my blog. Do let me know your suggestions and thoughts in the comments section. Thank you!

Also Read – Leading Lines in Photography