The Golden Ratio and its Effects on the Perceived Visual Appeal of Photos

The golden ratio (GR) has long been proposed to be the most visually appealing geometric proportion (Green, 1995). As a result, many popular sources have claimed that composition guidelines made from the GR such as the phi grid, the golden spiral, and the golden layout can be used to enhance the visual appeal of photographs. However, empirical evidence to substantiate this claim is inadequate. The purpose of this study is to analyze whether three GR composition guidelines, the phi grid, the golden spiral, and the golden layout, can create photo adaptations that are consistently perceived as more visually appealing than their non-golden ratio (NGR) counterparts. A digital survey was created and released on social media, targeting adults ages 18 through 64 with an interest in art. Respondents were presented with 9 pairs of photos, consisting of two photo adaptations, a GR version (made with one of the GR guidelines), and a NGR version. Respondents were instructed to choose the photo which they perceived to be more visually appealing. The results from the survey indicated that there was no inherent preference towards GR photos overall. However, when analyzing the results from each golden ratio guideline, it was found that only the golden layout produced GR photos that were more preferred than their NGR counterparts. Further research must be conducted to fully understand the aesthetic appeal of the golden layout. Until then, creative individuals should be skeptical of recommendations for using the GR to produce visual compositions.