Golden triangle
A diagonal composition grid that divides the frame into triangles, giving slanted lines and junctions for dynamic subject placement.
See it
What it is
The golden triangle is a composition grid built from one corner-to-corner diagonal, plus lines from the other corners meeting that diagonal at right angles. Those lines split the frame into triangles and give you slanted paths and junctions for the important shapes.
Reach for it when the scene already leans: a reclining figure, a road, a staircase, a table of objects, a body in motion. Run the dominant edge along the main diagonal and place the face or key object near a junction instead of forcing the scene onto a level thirds grid.
Gotcha: the guide does not make every triangle important. If every edge follows a different diagonal, the frame turns into splinters. Choose one dominant sweep, let quieter shapes support it, and remove the overlay before export. The grid is scaffolding, not part of the photograph.
Ask AI for it
Compose on an invisible golden triangle grid: run the strongest edge from the bottom-left corner to the top-right, place the subject's face near the upper perpendicular junction, and align the torso or product with the main diagonal. Keep the opposite triangles quieter and lower in contrast. Do not render the grid or guide lines in the final image.