The Art of Framing: The Organic Origins of Composition

In visual art, the idea that composition is linked to mathematical principles is quite common. However, this focus can sometimes overshadow the more natural, instinctive origins of visual art. Early artists and sculptors probably didn’t rely on math equations to plan their works. Instead, they were inspired by the natural world, their perception of it, and a sense of balance and harmony that just felt right to them.

It’s interesting to note that many of the compositional principles we use today — such as the Rule of Thirds, geometric shapes, leading lines, and the Golden Ratio — were identified only after the fact. These patterns were observed in existing works and in nature, leading to the creation of rules that explained why certain compositions felt aesthetically pleasing to the eye. In other words, these principles weren’t originally imposed on art by mathematics; rather, they were discovered as a way to describe what people had been creating intuitively for tens of thousands of years.

The idea that math governs composition is intriguing, but it’s important to recognize that the roots of composition are much more instinctual. The human eye is naturally drawn to light, certain patterns, and is quite heavily influenced by symmetries and balance. Early artists, without formal understanding of these principles or the underlying mathematics, instinctively knew what would be visually pleasing.

This organic approach to composition is very much alive today. Modern artists might be familiar with the math behind great composition, but they still trust their intuition. Sure, they might still use the Rule of Thirds or the Golden Ratio when they need to, but these are not strict rules — these are guidelines that can be bent, broken or completely discarded if something else just feels right.

In this sense, Math is a tool rather than a master. It provides a language to describe and analyze composition, but it does not dictate how it’s done. The essence of composition lies in how we interpret and make sense of the world around us. It’s a blend of natural intuition and formal principles, where the latter sharpens our understanding of what we intuitively feel.

When you look at it this way, you can see how flexible composition really is. It’s an art that shouldn’t be confined to rigid structures or formulas — it’s an expression of experience crafted to elicit an emotion. So, whether you’re following your instincts or using mathematical principles to guide you, composition is ultimately about creating something that resonates on a deeper level.

As you frame your next shot, keep in mind that composition is a balance between feeling and form. It’s easy to get caught up in the technical aspects and overanalyze every detail, but remember that many of the most powerful images are born of intuition. So, if you find yourself feeling constrained, use the principles to guide you, but don’t be afraid to let go of them and trust your instincts.