golden section and rule of thirds

M A . PA U L I N A R E S É N D I Z D E S I G N F O U N D AT I O N

S U S A N A N D E R S O N

THE GOLDEN SECTION AND THE RULE OF THIRDS

Maria Paulina Reséndiz A01111792

THE GOLDEN SECTION

•  Is defined by the number Phi  (= 1.618033988749895… )

Also known as the Golden Mean, Golden Ratio and Di.

It can be derived with a number of geometric constructions, each of which divides a line segment at the unique point where:

•  The ratio of the whole line (A) to the large segment (B) is

the same as •  The ratio of the large segment (B) to

the small segment (C). •  In other words, A is to B as B is to C.

The golden section

Its use may have started as early as with the Egyptians in the design of the pyramids.

•  The Greeks recognized it as “dividing a line in the extreme and mean ratio” •  The Renaissance artists

knew it as the Divine Proportion

•  It has been used in many different architectural designs. For example:

California Polytechnic Engineering Plaza

The design of Notre Dame in Paris

•  Apple design

CN Tower in Toronto

Taj Mahal

•  The golden section can also be used in nature as it is showed in the next video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCG6or7sZgA

THE RULE OF THIRDS

•  What is the Rule of Thirds? The basic principle behind the rule of thirds is to imagine breaking an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so that you have 9 parts.

•  The rule of thirds states than an image is most pleasing when its subjects or regions are composed along imaginary lines which divide the image into thirds.

Rule of thirds

•  It is actually quite amazing that a rule so seemingly mathematical can be applied to something as varied and subjective as a photograph. But it works, and surprisingly well. The rule of thirds is all about creating the right aesthetic trade-offs. It often creates a sense of balance and a sense of complexity.

Here is a great example of a photograph took without the rule of thirds and then taken with the

rule of thirds.

•  "Golden Section." , Golden Ratio or Divine Proportion Based on Phi, 1.618. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2012. <http://www.goldennumber.net/golden-section/>.

•  "Harmony And Home." The Golden Mean and Modern Design. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. <http://harmonyandhome.blogspot.mx/2008/12/golden-mean-and-modern-design.html>.

•  "Rule of Thirds." Rule of Thirds. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. <http://digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds>.

•  "COMPOSITION: RULE OF THIRDS." Composition: Using the Rule of Thirds. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. <http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/rule-of-thirds.htm>.

•   "Alibony Lessons for Photoshop Elements, Lightroom, and Digital Photography." Basic Design Principle: Rule of Thirds. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. <http://www.alibony.com/graphics/def_rule_of_thirds.html>.

Bibliography