Golden Mean / Rule of Thirds - Questions -

[caulfield]

OK - I had said I would ask some questions in the composition forum when I had a chance. The golden mean is something I would like to know more about. Please ask your own questions in this thread and add info if you want!

OK - golden mean - was it a 5/8 ratio? and the thirds rule - is one better than the other? Why? :rolleyes: The golden mean seems so darn close to the center to me...

What is the easiest way to find it - in PS or other program?

Do those points have to land on a perfect spot or just close?

What if the focal point is lined up vertically but not horizontally - you'd probably reconfigure the outside dimensions, right.

Why is centering so bad? Sorry had to ask that. :D

Sorry the questions are so lame.

Nicole

[lene]

Hi
I am absolutely not an expert, but can apply this info:
the Golden Mean is formulated 300 BC by Euklid as geometric rules. Many things in Nature fits this Mean in proportions.
For the math people: a:b = b: (a+b). In human language ;) = to divide a line after Golden Mean Rules the smallest part should have same sizerelations to the larger part, as the large part has to the hole line.
Terrible to read ain't it :eek:
Well, the "relation"-numbers are 3:5:8:13:21:34:55 and so on. So if you have a papersize and divide it vertical in 8 equal parts then count 3 (or 5) parts down (or up) that'll be the first mark, then do the same horizontal and thats second mark. Where the lines drawn from here meets is the Golden Mean. First Drawing

I do not know where the The dividing in 3 parts comes from, but it is easy - just divide horizontal + vertical in 3 parts and you have the four marks where the lines meet. If the paper is a rectangle (not a square like mine) you still divide in 3 alike parts for each direction. This apparently gives pleasing placements of focalpoints. Second Drawing

You don't have to use any programs to find out this, just divide your paper/photo.

I think centering is just giving a kind of static composition, and not so pleasing to the viewer. I cannot explain that but likewise you'll never put a name, adress etc. in the middle of a business card; you'll put slightly over middle (there is also a formular for this :))

[caulfield]

Thanks Lene! It sems so mysterious... so basically this ratio pops up in nature, so it is a natural sweet spot. Seems a bit new age. :p

& I thought I could forget about math if I were an artist, lol.

Nicole

[Lahree]

:raises hand: Uh........I still am a little (well, let's be real--more than a little) mystifyed here. Are the Golden Mean and dividing into thirds different from each other? Different dimensions/ratios? :confused:

[caulfield]

:raises hand: Uh........I still am a little (well, let's be real--more than a little) mystifyed here. Are the Golden Mean and dividing into thirds different from each other? Different dimensions/ratios? :confused:

Yep. :) That's why I ask - isn't it good enough to get close to the sweet spot...

:bangin:

[Lahree]

Yep. :) That's why I ask - isn't it good enough to get close to the sweet spot...

:bangin:

I'd like to be excused from class--my brain is full.

[Greg]

I'd like to be excused from class--my brain is full.

Oops, I think I went to the wrong class. :blushing: I was just looking for the lunch room. Whew!!!! I think the only way I would figure this out is if I could relate it to a music staff. :(

[Denise]

I thought this was art class...it looks and sounds like math class to me. Can I transfer out? I get "A's" in art...I get "D's" in math...:( :blushing:

[Arlene]

Thanks Lene! It sems so mysterious... so basically this ratio pops up in nature, so it is a natural sweet spot. Seems a bit new age. :p

& I thought I could forget about math if I were an artist, lol.

Nicoleactually fibanucci (sp?) also wrote it out and realized that everything in nature follows this.

check these out too:
http://www.branta.connectfree.co.uk/fibonacci.htm
http://mathforum.org/dr.math/faq/faq.golden.ratio.html

I too thought I could forget math and basically have. The 5:8 ratio isn't exact but it's close enough to the golden mean.

Either using thirds or the golden section will usually give you a pleasing composition. as the artist, you have the play to decide. But, make sure you do take the time to plan it out and play around with your designs.