The Golden Ratio sweeps awards in an International Photo Contest
 When you see an attractive face or body your mind is subconsciously
recognizing the Golden Ratio proportions that appear throughout the human form
and nature.
Our minds are wired to perceive the Golden Ratio as natural, balanced, beautiful and aesthetically
pleasing. It should be no surprise then that the most appealing creative works in all
forms of art and design would also embody the Golden Ratio, and its use can be
as unique as each individual's face and diverse as nature.
Look at the award-winning photographs below from
Costco's 2010 International Photo
Contest (download article) to see the impact of the Golden Ratio in creating the best of the best.
Each photo below shows an overlay of a different
PhiMatrix grid using Golden Ratio
proportions in every line. Click on any photo to view the full size
image.
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
Tutu, too by Neal Moran
International Grand Prize Winner
Source of photos on this page: Costco
Connection, February 2011, Volume 26, Number 2, Page 30
Just as a beautiful human face is based on Phi proportions in many
dimensions, this Grand Prize winning photo does the same.
Phi in the Framing (Left Photo) - For overall framing, the photo on the left shows alignment
on vertical lines of
the width of the tutu and girls body with 1st and 2nd Phi lines of the width
of the photo. The
alignment on horizontal lines places key elements at Phi lines of the height
of the photo as well, including the
balloon, the head, the base of the wall at the floor and the
red and white white tights and shoes.
Phi in the Subject (Middle and Right Photos) - The girl herself also embodies many Phi proportions.
On vertical lines, the middle photo in PhiMatrix Center mode shows the Phi
proportion of the width of the girl's body to her tutu. The right
photo in PhiMatrix Left&Right mode shows that even the straps of her tutu
and width of her face are in perfect Phi proportions to the width of the
tutu. On the horizontal lines, the PhiMatrix Top&Bottom mode on the middle and
right photos shows the alignment with Phi lines of the balloon, eyes, top of
the tutu at the straps, the bottom of the tutu and the base of the wall.
Whether the photographer planned all the Golden Ratio elements of the
photo or just had an incredible eye and a fortunate moment, the end result
captivates the human mind in its perception of balance, beauty and aesthetic
appeal. See other winners below. The photos all capture some winning
element of human interest, design or color, and all use Phi, the Golden
Ratio in their composition. |
| |
| Photo / Credits |
Credits / Comments |
PhiMatrix Settings |
| |
|
|
 |
Yelena Moore - Honorable Mention This unique
approach to composition relies not on horizontal or vertical lines but
instead divides the photo diagonally to create a visually engaging
perspective of a simple subject.
The key defining line is the right edge of the door, which is a
diagonal from the phi point of the top border to the bottom right corner.
Note that the left edge of the door starts at the phi point on the left
side and cuts diagonally to close to the phi point at the bottom. |
H Lines - 1
V Lines - 1H Axis - Bottom
V Axis - Left
Diagonal - 618a H Width - 221
V Axis - 298
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Jean-Yves Ferrault - 1st Place The illuminated Buddha sits between the 1st and 3rd
horizontal Phi lines of the photo, with the head to body in Phi proportion
as well as defined by the 2nd horizontal Phi line..
The photo is cut in half by a center line with the illuminated
Buddha sitting inside the 1st Phi line from the center to the right side. |
H Lines - 3
V Lines - 1H Axis - Top
V Axis - Center
H Width - 419
V Height - 291
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Rex Steyskal - Honorable Mention The eyes of the three baboons fall at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd
horizontal Phi lines.
The eyes of the top and bottom baboons fall at the
1st vertical Phi line.
The faces of all three baboons are aligned on diagonal Phi lines from
the corner to the opposite 1st Phi line. |
H Lines - 3
V Lines - 2H Axis - Top
V Axis - Left
Diagonal - 618c H Width - 212
V Height - 284 |
| |
|
|
 |
Class Act by Nick Stentzel - 1st Place The bottom of the chalkboard is at the
1st upper horizontal Phi line. The shoulders of the girl at the
board, the boys in the first row and the boy in the back row are all at
horizontal Phi lines from the top and bottom.
The girl's left shoulder and dress are aligned with the
first vertical Phi line to the left of the center. |
H Lines - 3
V Lines - 1
H Axis - Top&Bottom
V Axis - Center
H Width - 316
V Axis - 483 |
| |
|
|
 |
Andrew Todd, United Kingdom - 1st Place The man is
positioned to fill the section to the right of the vertical Phi line.
The angle of the man's back follows a diagonal Phi lines from the corners
to the Phi point on the right side. |
H Lines - 0
V Lines - 2
H Axis - None
V Axis - Left
H Width - 397
V Axis - 278
Diagonal - Conner-618b |
| |
|
|
|
 |
A Dog's Tale by Kim Crisler - 3rd Place The door
itself has Phi proportions with the window being at perfect 2nd Phi lines
from the outside of the door frame.
From the top to bottom of the photo, the composition places the bottom
of the window and the bottom of the dog's feet at the Phi lines from the
center of the photo.
In addition, the line where the door meets the floor is at a perfect
Phi line from the top to bottom of the photo, as indicated by the
horizontal red Phi line. |
H Lines - 1
V Lines - 3H Axis - Center
V Axis - Left&Right
H Width - 252
V Height - 453 |
| |
|
|
 |
Jinhee Lee - 1st Place International With the
vertical lines, the photo is cut in half with a center line and the girls
head/body and outside of the arms align to the 1st and 2nd Phi lines from the center.
With the horizontal lines, the girl's head, hair line, eyes, shoulders,
bottom of shirt sleeves,
waist line, bottom of shirt and tips of fingers are all aligned to Phi
lines from the top and bottom of the photo.
|
H Lines - 5
V Lines - 2
H Axis - Top&Bottom
V Axis - Center
H Width - 289
V Axis - 433 |
| |
|
|
 |
Mateos Ortez, Mexico - Honorable Mention The Monk is positioned at the 1st and 3rd
vertical Phi lines from the left.
The horizon and key elements of the elbows, hands and top
of back at the hood are all at horizontal Phi lines. |
H Lines - 3
V Lines - 4
H Axis - Top&Bottom
V Axis - Left
H Width - 406
V Axis - 282 |
| |
|
|
 |
Steven Riffel, Canada - Honorable Mention
Vertical Phi lines from the center define the position of the surfer and
both hands.
The horizontal line of the right arm is aligned with the 1st horizontal
Phi line from the top of the photo to the bottom.. |
H Lines - 1
V Lines - 2
H Axis - Bottom
V Axis - Center
H Width - 405
V Axis - 281 |
| |
|
|
 |
Jayme Schlais, Washington - Honorable Mention
The carnival ride itself, the focal point of the photo, has Golden Ratio
proportions with the height of its tower at a horizontal Phi line of its
height and its width at vertical Phi lines of the wing's width. |
H Lines - 1
V Lines - 2
H Axis - Bottom
V Axis - Left
H Width - 191
V Axis - 205 |
| |
|
|
 |
Bedtime Stories by Quynh Nguyen, California - 2nd
Place The vertical Phi line from the left defines the position of
the face at the tip of the nose.
With the horizontal lines, the bottom of the face is positioned at a
Center line. The 2nd Phi lines from the Center line then align with
the line of the pillow on top and the arm on the bottom. The 1st Phi
line on top of the Center line aligns with the eyes, a key focal point. |
H Lines - 2
V Lines - 1
H Axis - Center
V Axis - Right
H Width - 309
V Axis - 382 |
| |
|
|
|
See illustrations on how to use
PhiMatrix for
cropping and matting of
photos, as well as for design applications. |
|
