Use the golden rectangle with your photos

Golden Rectangle

Often when editing my photos with Lightroom, I’ll crop or shape the size to a ratio of 1.618 to 1.0  This is called the Golden Rectangle.

So, you would then have a rectangle with one side equal to 1.0 and the other 1.618.  Whatever size.  If the short side of the photo was 10 inches;  then the long side would be 16.18 inches.  So, the horizontal images work way better than vertical.

An interesting note is that .618 to 1.0 is the exact same ratio.

Using Lightroom (Software I use for photo editing) you have various options for what are called overlays.  So these lines, you place over the photo temporarily for size, shape and placement of objects in the frame.  One of the options is these intersecting lines that are the exact 1.618 to one ratio.  The Golden Ratio.  The four points where the lines cross. These are what you can use as a focal point.  The eye naturally goes to these.

Lightroom Overlays

Here you can see the 'overlay' of the lines with these measurements:

You use these lines to position the elements in the image. 

The ratio of 1.618 or .618 is then applied to the image itself resulting in four lines that intersect. 

Each line is drawn at a distance of .618 from one edge. 

See here:

These lines and the four intersecting points are what you want to use for design or editing.  So, you could use one of the horizontal lines for the horizon.  Upper line for less sky and lower for more sky.  That part is all about taste.  What are you trying to communicate?  You can see this in the above image. The upper horizontal line is even with the horizon in the picture.  And the intersection of the top horizontal line and left vertical line are right on the eye of the cow.

You could place the main part of the image along the vertical line in a horizontal image.

Thus, in the photo below, the bottom horizontal line is even with the horizon. 

The four points where the lines cross: these are what you can use as a focal point.  The eye naturally goes to these areas.

And in this photo I have used the cowboy's eye as a focal point.

Framing

I use this technique constantly when editing my photos. And, if possible, when I post to my website or some other social media. Much more impact than an 8"x10".  It has a lot to do with the above information.  One can still use these ratios with other shapes of photos but generally less impact. 

The biggest issue, then, with producing prints and getting them framed, is that there are no standard frames made to the Golden Rectangle Ratio.  

Framing

You are limited to available framing normally.  None of which are true to the Golden Ratio.  You can get a custom frame done most places.  This is generally more costly.  Search out second hand shops.  They will sometimes have frames that are the correct ratio.

The closest ‘standard’ size that I’ve been able to find is 11”x17”.  This size is slightly shorter from side to side. There are some other larger sizes that come close as well. 

So you can see that I've edited the photos here and object placement within the frame using The Golden Ratio on any shaped image.

Try and use the Golden Rectangle and Golden Ratio in when editing your photos.  You will see a huge improvement!

I hope this helps.