This week we are looking for shapes in our environment in Photo By Design – mostly circles, squares, rectangles and triangles. We are learning how to use them within the frame to tell our story more effectively. One shape that is found often in nature is the spiral.
The spiral is visually appealing and often has meaning attached. It shows up in art and architecture and gardens. It symbolizes many things, from a spiritual journey to cosmic force to coming into being (Spiral Symbolism).
It starts with the math – Fibonacci numbers, that is.
The Fibonacci numbers are: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34 … each number is the sum of the previous two. When these numbers are presented visually (squares with the numbers as widths), you get a spiral shape.
We live in a spiral galaxy and many plants, seed heads, fruits, and vegetables demonstrate this sequence.
The sunflower is a sublime example. See Fibonacci Numbers of Sunflower Seed Spirals.
It is also expressed in honeybee colonies and the human body (How Stuff Works).
Why this is so is still a mystery. However, the fact that it is so prevalent may explain why we love it so. Knowing this, we can try to find examples on our photo walks, for example, in railings or staircases (note images below) or flowers and vegetables.
We can use the golden spiral as a way of composing within the frame. We want to draw the eye around to a focal point, which is our subject, as in the images of boats below – a more subtle spiral.
Be on the lookout for spirals this week.
Resources
I love spirals — I feel a spiritual connection with this amazing shape. Spiral staircases give me chills. I’ll be on the lookout this week.
I love your examples of spirals here Kim. That top plant is amazing. Spirals are both fascinating and beautiful and I feel an inner harmony when I observe them!
Amazing spirals! Love that first image – so very striking in its luscious green spiral shape.