About Photography: Composition - Center & Symmetry
While the rule of thirds keeps you from placing subjects into the center of the frame, sometimes it's just what you might need.
Symmetry
Using symmetry is very straight forward in photography. If you find symmetry in what you are shooting it's often best to emphasize it by placing it in the center.
Composing our image that way creates balance.
A symmetry line splits our subject into two exact halves. If those halves are identical you can call that object a symmetric object.
Symmetry is an often over-looked tool. It allows us to create an harmonious image with aesthetically pleasing balance and proportions. It's not by chance most classical buildings use symmetry in their facades. From ancient times until today, symmetry remains a key element in design. From buildings to cars, phones to microchips.
Perhaps our fondness to symmetry is explained by ourselves: the human body.
While photographing it's the angle we shoot (how we place our subjects in the frame) at that determines how much we show the symmetry of our subjects.
Lines of symmetry can be found anywhere and in various form, but the most prevalent are:
Vertical Line of Symmetry : If an object’s line of symmetry is perpendicular to the horizon line, it has a vertical line of symmetry.
Horizontal Line of Symmetry : If an object’s line of symmetry is parallel to the horizon line, it has a horizontal line of symmetry.
Using Symmetry
Sometimes we can combine multiple lines of symmetry.
Other times it's good to create dissonance in an otherwise balanced image by breaking the symmetry to bring forth the main subject(s).
We might also incorporate leading lines and the rule of thirds into our images.
Symmetry can also be in different angles.
Nothing left to do but get out there and experiment!
Interested in photography?
Check out my About Photography series:
About Photography:
Pictures from Pixaby (free stock) and deviantArt.
Like my post? Upvote!
Is there something on your mind? Comment!
Want to read more similar content in the future? Follow!
I'm not that much into photography but reading this post encourages me to start taking pictures. :D
These photographs are so peaceful and calming that I just can't take my eyes off them. These shots are definitely awesome. Hope to keep hearing more from you. :)
Guay
Simple and objective.
Uped & resteemed :))
Nice pictures..... Symmetry is something most beautifull...
yes it is :)
Thank for sharing. Good article
thanks!
Another simple and excellent lesson @sulev, with a great photo examples. Upvoted, resteemed & DPS.
thanks, your support is much appreciated!
very nice photography
thanks! Most are from pixaby.com (free stock) and some are from deviantart.
Symmetry in pictures is very nice and not always very easy to do. Great post!
@sulev What do you think about the golden section in photography?
I think it's works and is useful at times. For me photography is not a precise art though. It's fast and rather spontaneous. What you might call a golden ratio I'd simply call the rule of thirds. No time to start measuring distances :)
I very rarely make symmetrical photographs, the most successful ones are obtained with symmetry breaking
Purely symmetric shots are kinda boring, but they are intriguing.
Nice shots!