When I first looked at this image I saw only the subject matter; my daughter in her new walking shoes and our camera shy canine on our evening gratitude walk. But there was something more that was drawing me in. As I studied the image, going beyond the subject matter, I noticed how frame was divided. Do you see it? Yep. There’s an uncanny perfect symmetry to the shot that was holding my attention.
Graphic elements like line, shape, repetition, etc. can be highly effective compositional tools in photography and more specifically, graphic symmetry can bring harmony and balance to our imagery.
Have you found balance in a photo you’ve captured lately? Share something where symmetry made the shot.
a wonderful shot — like that your daughter and the dog are also color-coordinated!
i've been working on a series of roof shots where symmetry is the focus, with just a little difference to make it interesting:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucyloomis/4977745919/
As a photographer who is also working to become a graphic designer, I couldn't agree with you more! All too often external elements beyond the main subject are an afterthought.
More often than not, I do try to use the surroundings to my advantage and take into account how they can enhance my images. Last night, I post photos from my first maternity session and a couple of the photos rely on graphic elements.
We did the shoot around their home, so I was limited as to backdrops, but I found so many great places. One of my favorites is the kissy shot where they are on the road right before it begins to curve. I don't think the shot would have worked as well had they been standing somewhere else.
http://www.wayfaringwanderer.com/2010/09/sharon-mikes-maternity-session-boone.html
This one isn't exact symmetry, but it caught my eye how the trains mimic the curves of the tracks – each one pushed a little further than the last. I was also drawn to the lines of the tracks and how they all come together as one.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/katyharmer/4778310171/in/photostream/
My partner and I try to share something each Thursday. Last week, our theme was work and though the contrast was evident, they are still similar in color and style. I find it very interesting.
http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2010/09/team-up-thursday-work/
I like symmetry in my food shots. I think the balance helps focus your eye more on the food and not on any distracting elements. here are some muffins I lined up a few weeks ago: http://flic.kr/p/8xCtDZ
I love that she is facing one way, and the dog the opposite. I had to look more closely to catch that.
The most symmetrical photo I have:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deniselivingston/4535341228/
great photo – i love the symmetry you found in it.
i don't usually shot with symmetry in mind but i often find it in nature itself.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/4466252196/in/set-72157622235403953/
This picture of the lifeguard stand isn't exactly symmetrical, but it has a very definite graphic quality to it I think. I took it in the spur of the moment and it wasn't until I saw it on the computer that I noticed all of the horizontal lines. I think it's all those lines that draw me in.
http://inspiredpointsofview.wordpress.com/2010/08/24/1748/
I love this post. so many times I download a photo stare at it tilt my head and it takes awhile for it to sink it what I am actually seeing. then it just comes to me. As a designer I have been told I have a lot of graphical elements in my photography. I guess I see it subconsciously through the lens now.
I love the repetition of lines,
http://www.wishfulthinkingblog.com/wishful-thinking/2010/9/4/lines-and-pattern.html
recently I have been using lines and shapes to tell the story
http://www.wishfulthinkingblog.com/wishful-thinking/2010/8/28/and-every-shade-of-grey.html
I don't often find symmetry in my shots but the path through the tall grass helped me find it on a series of shots I took on vacation in July. Here's one of several images I took as my husband and I tried to tire out our puppy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52055227@N07/4987032224/
I love the lines and curves of the sidewalk and grass in your photo! A perfect backdrop for your daughter's legs and the dogs. Very cool.
Here's a recent one of mine, where symmetry totally works! http://www.kateyeview.com/2010/09/mail-time.html
Great post! I love symmetry in a photograph especially when it leaves the audience feeling safe, peaceful, and balanced. I don't think it is healthy to be a tad bit jealous of your model though. Pretty from her head to her toes, she is.
http://lastpictureshowphotography.blogspot.com/2010/08/lucky-in-friends.html
I love looking at lines, seeing how things naturally fall into balance.
http://bostongirlontheverge.blogspot.com/2010/09/shutter-sisters-symmetry.html
I took this shot a couple of different times and couldn't figure out why it wasn't working. Then I realized it was missing symmetry. Once I got the right balance, it became my favorite shot of the day: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniecourt/4987317450/
Great shot. I'm loving the examples of symmetry, shape and repetition. A couple of my own:
http://instamaticgratification.wordpress.com/2010/03/23/82365/
http://instamaticgratification.wordpress.com/2010/05/02/113365/
This isn't a symmetrical picture, but it is full of lines that draw my eyes from one point of the shot to another.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25710823@N07/3325405315/in/set-72157615115148114/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/katherinec/4967806404/
I love symmetrical shots! I'm always trying to use the surroundings to frame subjects or draw the eye down to them. It doesn't always work out but I try to be mindful of it.
Tracey,
I love the lines in your photo and the symmetry that leads the mind to find it.
Mine below is more obvious symmetry. However, your post will hopefully help me to notice the less obvious, before I lift the camera to my eye.
http://flic.kr/p/8AH8a2
I love that photo — especially that they are facing opposite directions.
Here's one I took last week while waiting for take-out Chinese. I wouldn't have seen this if I hadn't been really, really bored: http://www.flickr.com/photos/superdewa/4960814617/
I view things around me in patterns, lines and shapes, etc. I think a lot of that derives from my background in classical piano. I was taught to read music in pattern so I think it has stuck with me and carried over into my photography.