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{{Short description|Photography}}

[[File:DM Diagonal method.svg|thumb|180px|right|Diagonal Method]]

{{primary sources|date=October 2015}}

The '''Diagonal Method''' (DM) is a [[rule of thumb]] in [[photography]], [[painting]] and [[drawing]]. Dutch photographer and lecturer Edwin Westhoff discovered the method when, after having long taught the rule of thirds in photography courses, he conducted visual experiments to investigate why this [[rule of thirds]] only loosely prescribes that points of interest should be placed more or less near the intersection of lines, rather than being rigid and demanding placement to be precisely on these intersections. Having studied many photographs, paintings and etchings, he discovered that details of interest were often placed precisely on the [[diagonals]] of a [[square (geometry)|square]], instead of any "strong points" that the rule of thirds or the photographic adaptation of the [[Golden ratio]] prescribes. As such, this method is entirely unique. A photograph is usually a rectangular shape with a ratio of 4:3 or 3:2, in which case one should look at the [[bisection]] of each corner. Manually placing certain elements of interest on these lines results in a more pleasing photograph.<ref>Hartel, M. (2008). Urban expression. Digital Photographer, 74(September), 30-42.</ref>

[[File:DM Diagonal method.svg|thumb|180px|right|Diagonal Methodmethod of a 3:2 image]]

The '''Diagonaldiagonal Methodmethod''' ('''DM''') is a [[rule of thumb]] in [[photography]], [[painting]], and [[drawing]]. Dutch photographer and lecturer [[Edwin Westhoff]] discovered the method when, after having long taught the [[rule of thirds]] in photography courses, he conducted visual experiments to investigate why this [[rule of thirds]] only loosely prescribes that points of interest should be placed more or less near the intersection of lines, rather than being rigid and demanding placement to be precisely on these intersections. Having studied many photographs, paintings and etchings, he discovered that details of interest were often placed precisely on the [[diagonals]] of a [[square (geometry)|square]], instead of any "strong points" that the rule of thirds or the photographic adaptation of the [[Goldengolden ratio]] prescribes. As such, this method is entirely uniquesuggests. A photograph is usually a rectangular shape with a ratio of 4:3 or 3:2, infrom which casethe onediagonals shouldof lookthe photograph are placed at the [[bisection]] of each corner. Manually placing certain elements of interest on these lines results in a more pleasing photograph.<ref>Hartel, M. (2008). Urban expression. Digital Photographer, 74 (September), 30-4230–42.</ref>

== Theory ==

[[image:Diagonal_on_Girl_with_Pearl_Earring.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Example using [[Vermeer]]'s [[Girl with a Pearl Earring]]. The yellow diagonal line intersects two main points of interest: the girl's left eye and the pearl earring.]]

Diagonals, the middle [[perpendiculars]], the [[Centre (geometry)|center]] and the corners of a square are said to comprise the force lines in a square, and are regarded by some as more powerful than other parts in a square.<ref>Arnheim, R. (1954). Art and visual perception: A psychology of the creative eye. Los Angeles: University of California Press.</ref>

According to the DM, details that are of interest (to the artist and the viewer) are placed on one or more diagonals of 45 [[Degree (angle)|degrees]] from the four corners of the image. Contrary to other [[rules of thumb]] involving composition, such as the rule of thirds and the golden ratio, the DM isdoes not ascribingascribe value to the [[Line-line intersection|intersections]] of its lines. Rather, a detail of interest can be located on any point of the four bisections, to which the viewer’s attention will be drawn.<ref>Westhoff, E. (2009). De diagonaal-methode. (The Diagonal Method.) Zoom.nl Digitale Fotografie & Video, 2009(10), 82-87.</ref> However, the DM is very strict about placing details exactly ''on'' the bisection, allowing for a maximum deviation of one millimeter on an A4-sized picture.{{cn|date=September 2014}} Another difference withfrom other rules of thumb is that the DM is not being used for improving aimprove composition.{{clarify|date=September 2014}}

== Application ==

The DMdiagonal method was derived from an analysis of how artists intuitively locate details within a composition, and can be used for such analyses. Westhoff discovered that by drawing lines with an angle of 45 degrees from the corners of an image, one can find out which details the artist (deliberately or unconsciously) intended to emphasize. Artists and photographers intuitively place areas of interest within a composition. The DM can assist in determining, which details the artist has wantedwishes to highlightemphasize. Research by Westhoff has resulted in the finding that important details onin paintings and on etchings of [[Rembrandt]], such as eyes, hands or utilities, were placed exactly on the diagonals.{{cn|date=October 2014}}

It is very difficult to consciously place points of attention precisely on the diagonals during the making of photos or artworks, yet it is possible to do this in post-production using guidelines.<ref>Westhoff, E. (2007). De Diagonaal Methode. (The Diagonal Method.) FocusXtra 2007(Februari), 18-19.</ref> For instance, the DM can be applied to move the subject of a picture further into a corner.<ref>Elzenga, J. W. (2009). Digitale fotografie natuur: Tips en technieken voor het fotograferen van landschap en dieren. (Digital photography in nature: Tips and techniques for photographing landscapes and animals.) Amsterdam: Pearson Education. Pp. 47-49.</ref> To this end, [[Adobe Photoshop Lightroom|Photoshop Lightroom]] has, since 2007, contained a tool for [[cropping (image)|cropping]] photographs that uses overlays of the most important rules of thumb, amongst which the DM is featured..<ref>Evening, M. (2009). The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 book: The complete guide for photographers. Berkely, CA: Adobe Press.</ref> The Golden Crop tool for Photoshop CS2 and up also incorporates the DM.<ref>SourceForge (2010). [http://goldencrop.sourceforge.net/ Golden Crop: The ultimate Photoshop cropping solution]. Retrieved November 7, 2010.</ref> In 2009, [[scripting language|scripts]] have become available for [[Corel Paint Shop Pro|Paint Shop Pro]], [[GIMP]], and Picture Window Pro, and in 2010 also for [[Inkscape]]. As of GIMP 2.8, the DM will be part of the suite.<ref>GNOME Bugzilla (2009, January 3). [https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=566443 Bug 566443: Diagonal Method guidelines for crop tool].</ref>

The DM can only be applied onto images where certain details are supposed to be emphasized or exaggerated, such as a [[portrait]] in which a specific body part deserves extra attention by the viewer, or a photograph for advertising a [[Product (business)|product]]. Photographs of [[landscapes]] and [[architecture]] usually rely on the composition as a whole, or have lines other than the bisections to determine the composition, such as the horizon.<ref>Elzenga, J. W. (2009). Digitale fotografie natuur: Tips en technieken voor het fotograferen van landschap en dieren. (Digital photography in nature: Tips and techniques for photographing landscapes and animals.) Amsterdam: Pearson Education. P. 49.</ref> Only if the picture includes details such as persons, (standalone) trees, or [[buildings]] is the DM applicable.{{cn|date=October 2014}}

== See also ==

* [[Golden triangle (composition)]] Another way to use diagonal lines to place elements in a composition

== References ==

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== External links ==

{{commons category|Diagonal Method}}

* [http://www.diagonalmethod.info Official sitewww.diagonalmethod.info]

{{photography subject}}