The gold mean is a compositional technique used to determine the "ideal" position of a main subject within a frame. It is based on constructing a rectangle from a square using geometric principles, allowing photographers to place elements harmoniously within the composition.
By drawing a line from the center of one side of a square to the opposite corner and using it to define an arc, the resulting rectangle highlights the most visually balanced point for the subject. Understanding the gold mean helps photographers and artists create aesthetically pleasing images that naturally draw the viewer's eye to key elements.