The Phi Grid
Video: Phi Grid
Challenge level
DIFFICULT
MODERATE
EASY
Main subject and supporting elements you might need
Good for scenes such as landscapes, street photography, and still life photography where the main subject is closer to the center and the supporting elements in the background are relevant.
The Phi Grid
When photographers get together to chat about composition techniques, it seems that they've all heard about the rule of thirds, but not many know of the Phi Grid. This is a pity because the Phi Grid is a creative option that has some distinct advantages. Here's how you can use this artistic composition rule in your photographs to make them even more expressive and interesting.
What is the Phi Grid?
The Phi Grid has a very similar design to the rule of thirds because it has two horizontal lines and two vertical lines. However, rather than having nine equal sections, the lines on the Phi Grid are moved slightly towards the center to align with the Golden Ratio, which is a mathematical concept and a pattern often found in nature. Using this system helps artists and photographers create balanced and pleasing images.
Compared to the even balance of the rule of thirds layout, the slight variation of this form of composition adds a bit of tension to an image. That word 'tension' may seem negative, but in photography, it means there is a dynamic element that attracts and holds the attention of the viewer. In the case of the Phi Grid, the tension comes from having the smaller middle section. The whole idea of being creative with composition is to make a viewer pause and thoughtfully consider the image you captured, and the Phi Grid achieves this result with a minimum of fuss.
What are the Advantages of the Phi Grid?
When photographing landscapes, there's a dilemma with the rule of thirds setting. The sky either fills the top third, or it uses two-thirds of the image. Incorporating the top third works well if it is a relatively empty area of blue sky. And having the top two-thirds for the sky is appropriate if the image is packed with bulging storm clouds. But sometimes, you need more of a balance between these two options. There are many times when a landscape needs clouds to be prominent in the image without detracting from the scene below them. Having a slightly lower line at the top of the Phi Grid (compared to the rule of thirds technique) means you get the best of both worlds without resorting to having the horizon in the middle of the image, which often looks amateurish.
The other useful factor in the Phi Grid is that you still have the intersecting points on the lines to guide you in the direction of subject placement. Whenever possible, make sure you position the main subject at the hot spots where the lines meet. These are power-points that the viewer's eyes will immediately be drawn to. To help your composition even further, make sure any important elements from the scene fall along one of the horizontal or vertical lines to make the composition of your photo even stronger.
When Should You Use the Phi Grid?
The most common time to use the Phi Grid is when taking landscape photos. It creates a level of visual harmony rarely achieved through other artistic composition rules. The balance between land and sky is just right!
Seascapes also benefit from this grid, especially when colorful sunsets are involved. When the horizon is along the top line, you have an almost symmetrical image, but the radiant clouds have plenty of space to be the feature of the image. And yet, there's still enough room for vibrant reflections on the water as well. It's a winning combination for your image.
An advantage of seeing the Phi Grid on the screen of your iPhone before you take the photo is that you keep the horizon level. Open the Wise Camera app and choose the Phi Grid option to use the guidelines to make sure the horizon is straight. One of the easiest ways to ruin a good photo is to have a landscape or seascape tipping at a weird angle.
Other subjects suitable for the Phi Grid are architecture and portraits. There are usually plenty of existing lines on buildings to match the grid, and it's just a matter of choosing appropriate ones to make the structure look balanced and interesting. Portraits benefit when using this grid because you keep the subject away from the center, which sometimes looks too static.
The Wise Camera app makes it easy to overlay a Phi Grid onto the scene in front of you. Work out what you want to use as the main subject for your image and place it along with one of the guidelines. If suitable, try and position it at one of the spots where the lines meet. Now it's time to turn your photo into a story. There was a reason you chose your subject; let the viewer know what interested you by explaining it in visual terms. Look for objects or shapes in the background that have relevance to the overall image. They could be painted lines, angular shadows, or the corners of buildings. To illustrate how this works, imagine taking a photo of a university professor at her desk. Set the Phi Grid, so she is at one of the intersecting points. Then move around until the shelves of books in the background align with one of the horizontal parts of the grid. These shelves stacked with dusty books add to the story of who she is and what she does for a living, but best of all, and they also form leading lines that direct the viewer's eyes to the professor. Unless you tell a story with this photo, all you have is a picture of a person, rather than an image that people will admire for its balance, style, and humanity.
The Phi Grid is the foundation for harmonious photos. If you want to see how often famous photographers use the Phi Grid, download a few of their images to your iPhone and open the Wise Photos app. In this app, you can place composition guidelines over the images to see which technique these photographers applied. It's a useful way to become more aware of the importance of subject placement within an image. Then use this clever app on your own photos to re-crop and tweak the position of the main elements, and you'll see a huge difference in their appeal.
Summary
Is the Phi Grid better than the rule of thirds? It definitely has advantages in many situations. Most people opt for the rule of thirds by default, but mainly because they don't know about the Phi Grid. You now have an advantage over many other photographers! When the rule of thirds doesn't feel right, switch to the Phi Grid, and you'll probably find that its mathematical division of space makes a more intelligent and thoughtful style of photo.