Art and creativity aren't always chaotic and disorderly — the golden ratio (also known as the golden section, golden mean, or divine proportion) is proof of it.

Imagine a line cut into two pieces of different lengths. The golden ratio is accomplished when the ratio of the longer segment to the shorter segment equals the ratio of the whole segment to that of the longer segment. To denote this number (~1.618), people agreed to use the Greek letter phi (φ).

The golden ratio has been known for a long time, and many architects and artists have used it in their work to produce well-balanced, natural-looking stunning masterpieces. The Egyptian pyramids, Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, and the Apple logo are all built on this principle.^[1]

In photography, artists use a golden spiral to create eye-pleasing compositions. The spiral is a series of squares that follow the magic golden ratio. You can find the arc swirling through the frame in many natural forms, like seashells or flowers — this is probably why people find such patterns in photography or design so appealing.

To use the golden ratio in your photography, place the most detailed element of your composition in the smallest box and ensure the area of visual interest doesn't go beyond the curve. This scheme allows you to lead viewers around the image in a natural flow and create eye-capturing photos.