Composition and the fibonacci principle

Composition is one of the most important aspects of art and photography. It shapes how people see, feel, and connect with an image. One principle I often return to is the Fibonacci sequence.

At first glance, it’s just a mathematical pattern: each number is the sum of the two before it (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13 …). But this sequence appears everywhere in the natural world, from the spiral of a seashell to the branching of a tree or the arrangement of petals in a flower. Because of that, artists and architects have used it for centuries to create works that feel balanced and harmonious.

In photography, applying the Fibonacci principle can help guide composition, from proportions and spacing to the rhythm of how elements lead the eye through the frame. Done well, it creates an image that feels instinctively pleasing, even if the viewer can’t explain why.

For me, it’s less about strict rules and more about recognising patterns that echo the beauty and order we find in nature. When you bring those patterns into your work, you tap into something deeply familiar and resonant.

It’s also a topic we sometimes explore in our photography workshops, where we look at how principles like Fibonacci can be used in practical, creative ways out in the landscape.