Place the subject on lines that divide the frame by the golden ratio (about 1:1.618) or on the golden spiral. The phi grid's lines sit a bit closer to the center than the thirds lines, so the result feels stable yet not monotonous.
When a subject placed on the thirds would look pushed too far to one side. The spiral suits scenes with curving lines, like stairs, waves, or petals.
Static wide shot of a lone fisherman in a yellow raincoat on a gray pebble beach at dawn, composed on a phi grid: he stands on the right golden-ratio line, about 62% from the left edge, the horizon sits on the lower golden-ratio line, curling waves form a soft spiral toward him, locked-off camera, no camera movement.
golden ratio composition, phi grid, subject on the golden section line
Adobe — 15 photography composition techniques (golden ratio, Fibonacci spiral)
Not verified