Symmetrical photographs are those that have almost identical elements on either side of the image from an imaginary vertical or horizontal line. Symmetry occurs when parts of your composition are mirrored (or nearly mirrored). Using symmetry and patterns in photography is a great way to make your images more attractive and effective.
And most human-made objects are symmetrical too. Cars, planes, boats, ships, houses, buildings, and many of the products we use every day are symmetrical in one way or another. We associate symmetrical composition with beauty very closely! Why? Because the human brain likes symmetrical objects much more than asymmetric ones. If you think about the human body, then it has vertical symmetry. The left half reflects the right. Imagine you take a photo and fold it in the middle. If both halves are identical, then the image is symmetrical. We could recommend you to post your symmetrical photos by creating your online portfolio website!
Symmetry has been used by classical artists and other creatives for hundreds of years.
Symmetry is a fairly universal technique in art; it is used by many creative personalities, from painters and sculptors to architects and photographers. The techniques that masters used to create their paintings centuries ago are also applicable to the art of photography today. One of these fundamental principles is symmetry. Symmetry is found everywhere in nature; it just needs to be seen.
Three types of symmetry in photography
Three types of symmetry can be used in a photographic composition. They depend on whether the axis of symmetry is located horizontally, vertically or radially.
- Vertical symmetry
Vertical symmetry is the most common type of symmetry found in photography, as photographers often photograph human and animal faces that are vertically symmetrical, mirroring each other from left to right.
- Horizontal symmetry
Horizontal symmetry is obtained when the top half of the image is symmetrical to the bottom. Classic example horizontal symmetry - landscape photography with mountains in the background reflected in the lake in the foreground.
- Radial symmetry
Some images are symmetrical around a center point, like ripples radiating from a drop splash. This type of symmetrical composition is not so common in photography, but it creates a very interesting effect. Radial symmetry appears from time to time in architecture.
Flowers and some plants have radial symmetry, spokes on a wheel, or propellers on boats and airplanes also have radial symmetry. The trendy "tiny planet" effect is another great example of radial symmetry in photography. In buildings and architecture, staircases are often radially symmetrical, as are circular elements (such as the domes of the Capitol). So, radial symmetry can be traced in the Pentagon building in Washington DC or the famous round stained glass windows with roses on Notre Dame in Paris.
What is balance and symmetry in photography?
Balance is an interesting concept and depends on so many factors. Believe it or not, symmetry is the easiest way to achieve balance in an image. Balance and symmetry in photography are the tools that allow you to create beautiful and interesting photographs. Like the rule of thirds, these principles are not rigid or immutable.
But understanding the basics of what they are and why they are needed at all will allow you to apply them correctly in your work.
- Many symmetry images contain other elements - figures or objects - that are not symmetrical. In this case, different rules must be applied to achieve balance.
- The most important thing to remember about symmetry is that it is one of the fundamental ways to balance composition and create a balanced shot. Balance is when objects, presented in two dimensions, complement each other and merge into a big picture.
- The essential part of perfect photography composition is to give each object a weight. Size is the most obvious defining characteristic. Two objects of the same size counterbalance each other if they appear in the composition in approximately the same place. But what if one of the objects is smaller? In this case, it can still create balance with the more massive object, but it should be located further from the focal center. A heavier object can also counterbalance a smaller one, but in this case, you need to place the smaller one further away from the lens.
- Another example of balance in action with multiple objects is that several small objects can be used to counterbalance one larger object.
- You will need to do a little work with balance and symmetry in photography before you can succeed in this area. But once you understand how things work in practice, you will create balanced compositions on the go.
- Сolor of the object is another characteristic that influences the balance of photography composition. Dark objects appear heavier than light ones. Thus, if the objects are the same size, then the darker one will have more visual weight. As with objects of different sizes, a lighter object can still counterbalance a darker one if placed at the correct distance. Also, a smaller dark object can counterbalance a more massive light object.
How to use symmetry in photography
There are some rules for symmetry in photo:
- Imagine leading lines
Symmetry is associated with many photographic techniques and tricks, including the reception of leading lines. Leading lines are a powerful tool that helps the viewer focus on the right elements in the frame, they direct the viewer's gaze. Symmetry and leading lines are interconnected techniques. Imagine the lines of a building moving closer together as the building moves away from the viewer. The viewer's eyes rise higher and higher, giving the photographer a great chance to convey the desired message to the viewer.
- Pay attention on artificial symmetry in photography
There are many symmetrical things in nature, but symmetry can be created quite easily and artificially. If you enjoy working with smartphone editing apps, there are dozens of apps here that let you create artificially symmetrical images from any starting point. These applications mirror the desired part of the photo, and this allows you to create fresh and interesting abstract effects.
- Focus on symmetry in architecture and street photography
Architecture and symmetry go hand in hand. If you photograph buildings, chances are you can take a great symmetrical photograph.
Even if your main subject is not buildings, but there are human-made objects and buildings near your subject, you will have a great opportunity to benefit from their symmetry. Street shots can be easily made symmetrical if desired.
- Don't get hung up on the rules
Try not to get too hung up on the symmetry features and patterns in the photo. Many aesthetically beautiful photos can show their well-defined symmetry, but if you compare the two parts, they will not be identical. Wedding photographs of the bride and groom are an excellent example of this, because, although the photo comes out symmetrical, both halves are not identical to each other.
- Use reflections
Shooting reflections is another fun way to make a symmetrical composition. Reflections can be seen in lakes, oceans, and puddles, so they are much more common than you might think. Water is everywhere and can be used to create even partial reflections in photographs.
The truth is that many photographers naturally gravitate towards symmetry. They admire it in the work of other photographers and try to automatically recreate it in their work. If you understand the basics, you can not only blindly copy ideas, but also create your own innovative and engaging compositions. By the way, you can post your works on our website.
How to create pleasing triangle symmetry in photography?
We have some tips about creating triangle symmetry on photo:
- You can create the appearance of a triangle from objects by arranging them in the frame so they mentally form a triangle. Moreover, it is not necessary that these objects are in the same plan. Finding them in different plans will only play into the hands of the photographer, as this will give the effect of volume to the picture.
- Such a construction is very easy to apply in wiping when shooting in front of a person sitting at a table, who is leaning with both hands. Its shape will fill the frame in the form of a triangle.
- Concerning symmetry in photography is the arrangement of the object in the picture in the form of a triangle. Moreover, an isosceles triangle, standing on the base, personifies statics, rest, stability.
- In addition to the triangle, there is an oval, which is also symmetrical in the photography composition. The circle is a perspective view that appears before the viewer as an oval. Shooting gymnastic exercises, round dances, and a number of other subjects allow you to frame in this way.
- In some cases, the oval is slightly outlined and then strict symmetry is lost in the frame. However, such shots are more convincing. Using the construction in the form of an oval allows you to successfully fill the picture when shooting groups of people.
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FAQ
What effects can symmetry photography give?
Using symmetry and patterns in photography is a great way to make your images more attractive and effective. Cars, planes, boats, ships, houses, buildings, and many of the products we use every day are symmetrical in one way or another.
What is frame symmetry?
In a general sense, symmetry implies such a way of organizing the proportions of an object, in which the ratio of its parts is balanced and harmonious.
What is balance in photography?
The simplest example of compositional balance is symmetry, in which one half of a photograph reflects the other half. Compositional balance in photography is a state of form in which all the elements included in it are balanced with each other.
What is the difference between symmetry and asymmetry?
Symmetry is the fundamental principle of self-organization of material forms in nature and shaping in art. The absence or breaking of symmetry is called asymmetry or dissymmetry.
