Symmetry
Video: Symmetry
Challenge level
DIFFICULT
MODERATE
EASY
Main subject and supporting elements you might need
Good for scenes such as architecture, landscapes, and object groups with the main subject in the middle and mirror elements on the left and right.
Symmetry
If your aim in photography is to create an image that is appealing to friends, family, and followers on your social media accounts, don’t depend on luck. A good image comes about through thoughtfulness and planning. A chaotic image won’t generate many ‘likes.’ People like freedom in their lives, but in photography, they prefer a sense of order and structure. They like a well-composed image, and this comes about from the careful arrangement of objects within a scene. Keeping things simple is often the best, and the simplest of all the artistic composition rules use the principle of symmetry.
What is Symmetry?
When an image has symmetry, it means one side is the same as the next one. There’s an imaginary line running through the center of the image, and one half is a reflection of the other. This is called reflectional symmetry because that imaginary line is like a mirror.
Examples of Symmetry
A symmetrical photo is admired for its classical style of balance. It’s no wonder that tourists stop and stare at Greek temples, French palaces, and English castles. They are all examples of line symmetry that exude feelings of strength and majesty. Temples have a repeating pattern of columns, palaces have hundreds of windows in a row, and castles have a series of tall towers—and in each of these examples, the symmetry is used to suggest power and grandeur. Even the gardens of monarchs often feature perfectly placed vegetable plots, corridors of clipped hedges, and trees trimmed into aesthetically pleasing shapes. It’s beautiful, but it also shows an attitude of control over the environment. In a positive way, symmetry does this for the composition of your photos: it gives you control over the outcome.
How to Use Symmetry to Make a Statement
On an iPhone, the Wise Camera app has a symmetry composition tool made by crossing a vertical and horizontal line. Positioning your subject along one of those lines makes the image steady and peaceful. Depending on the style of photo you are taking, you can use either of these mirror lines to compose your image. The vertical line is useful for portraits of people. Place it down the center of their body to show how each side of the image is similar. This style of photo works best when the background is the same in each area as well. A close-up photo of a person’s face is a great version of symmetry. Having the vertical line running between their eyes and down their nose makes a perfect mirror image effect. The vertical line is also useful for pictures of buildings where the left and right sides are symmetrical. Position the line through the middle of the building to show its structural integrity.
Use the horizontal line in situations where the top half and lower half reflect each other. This is often found in landscapes, especially when there are reflections on still lakes. After heavy rain, colorful street scenes reflected on wet city roads create another mirror image that is rewarded by the strategic placement of the horizontal line. Any type of reflective surface, such as puddles, ponds, and polished cars, provides the mirroring effect that is perfect for symmetrical composition. The glass and chrome of modern architecture also produce reflections that are fantastic for portraits. Have your subjects rest their back against the surface of one of these buildings and ask them to turn their face towards you. Don’t bother taking a basic photo when you can use mirrors to create a symmetrical, stylish, fine art portrait instead. Look for reflective surfaces next time you walk through city streets and note some locations for future shoots with friends.
When you place your subject in the center of the iPhone’s screen, you give the image a strong sense of purpose. It stands out as the feature subject because the viewer has nowhere else to look. It’s a form of composition that has a lot of stability. It’s not the best choice for action or lifestyle shots, but it’s perfect for portraits where the subject is directly facing the camera, for close-ups of human and animal faces, abstracts, architecture, and macro photography.
Editing for Symmetry
In street photography, sometimes photo opportunities arise before you are ready for them. Whenever this occurs, don’t hesitate, shoot first and edit later! Imagine the scene of two businessmen in grey suits facing each other while shaking hands. After snapping the photo, you might realize they were standing mirror-image to each other. Unfortunately, because it was not noticed at the time, you weren’t able to take advantage of this form of composition and didn’t line them up in the middle of the frame. This is when the Wise Photos app becomes a handy editing tool. Open the app and crop your image, so the men’s hands meet at the centerline of the symmetry option. You will create a fantastic photo with a powerful and compelling focus point.
Symmetry is an under-used composition tool. Some photographers avoid it because they think it is too simple, but I cannot entirely agree. Using this artistic composition rule with intention stops it from being boring and shows thoughtfulness instead. There are many genres of photography where symmetry can be used with creative effect, so grab your camera and go hunting for subjects that benefit from the mirror-line composition.
Conclusion
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Photography, like any other art form, is deeply rooted in storytelling. Unlike music, movies, and books, which unfold their narratives over time, photography captures a single moment. Through artistic composition, we can guide the viewer's eye across the scene, effectively telling our story with an image.
Positioning the main subject in the center of the scene, using a large portion of the frame, conveys a message of omnipotent power. This intentional placement ensures the viewer's eyes are immediately drawn to the center to possibly admire the main subject. The tilt of your camera, vertically up or down, can emphasize the height of the main subject or its grandeur.
By having similar supporting elements on the left and right of the main subject, a sense of order and control is created, elevating the subject's status of power while achieving balance. This symmetrical arrangement not only captivates the viewer but also subtly guides their emotional response to the imagery.
Is this the story you wish to tell? If so, then employing symmetry in your artistic composition will serve as a powerful tool, allowing you to tell it with both visual harmony and impactful precision.
Storytelling Corner
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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What is the Rule of Thirds?The Rule of Thirds is a composition technique used in photography where the frame is divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. Positioning the subject along these lines or at their intersections moves the subject away from the center, creating a more balanced and engaging image.
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Why is the Rule of Thirds important in photography?It adds a simple but dynamic element to photo composition, moving the subject away from the center of the frame to create a well-balanced, harmonious image. This technique makes the photo more interesting and engaging by shifting the weight of the image and providing an unconscious appreciation for its balance.
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Can the Rule of Thirds be applied to all types of photography?Yes, the Rule of Thirds is versatile and can be used for various types of photography including landscapes, portraits, street photography, wildlife, fashion photos, and more. It works well in both horizontal and vertical formats, making it applicable to a wide range of subjects and scenes.
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How does the Rule of Thirds benefit landscape photography specifically?For landscape shots, positioning the horizon one-third of the way from the top or bottom of the frame rather than in the center can make the photo more compelling. This technique allows the photographer to emphasize interesting textures in the foreground or dramatic skies, depending on the horizon's placement.
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What are hot spots in the Rule of Thirds and how are they used?Hot spots refer to the points where the grid lines intersect in the Rule of Thirds grid. Placing your subject at one of these intersecting points incorporates an extra key element into the photo's design. For example, in portraits, aligning the person’s head or an eye at a hot spot can significantly enhance the image's impact.
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How can the Rule of Thirds improve photos that seem lacking?Revisiting photos with the wisdom of hindsight and applying the Rule of Thirds can breathe new life into images that may not have received the attention they deserve. Using this composition technique can often reveal it as the missing piece in the composition puzzle, making the photo more appealing and well-composed.
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What is negative space in photography?Negative space refers to the area around the main subject of a photograph that is left empty or uncluttered. This compositional technique emphasizes the main subject by providing lots of room around it, directing the viewer's focus to the subject and adding a sense of calmness and contemplation to the image.
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How does negative space impact the viewer's perception of a photo?Negative space creates a dramatic effect that makes the viewer stop and consider the impact of the photo. It draws attention to the main subject, induces feelings of solitude and peacefulness, and provokes curiosity about the photographer's intent by breaking traditional photography rules.
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What is the difference between positive and negative space?Positive space in a photo is the area occupied by the subject, whereas negative space is the area around the subject. Using a lot of negative space can make the subject stand out more prominently, offering a clear contrast between the subject and its surroundings without making the image feel crowded or cluttered.
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Can negative space have color or texture?Yes, negative space doesn't have to be completely white or blank. It can include color or texture, such as a blue sky or a field of grass, as long as these elements do not distract from the main subject. The key is to maintain contrast and ensure that the background objects in the negative space do not draw attention away from the focal point.
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How can photographers effectively use negative space in their compositions?Photographers can use negative space by ensuring that the background occupies more space in the frame than the subject. Using the Wise Camera app, photographers can position their subject within a guided area, leaving ample space around it as indicated by the app's guidelines. This approach helps in isolating the subject and drawing the viewer's attention directly to it.
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What are some tips for creating negative space in photos taken with an iPhone?When using an iPhone, photographers can take advantage of its wide angle of view to leave extra space around the subject, emphasizing the negative space. If necessary, photos can be cropped afterward using the Wise Photos app to adjust the composition and create a more impactful negative space image.
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What is the Left to Right composition rule in photography?The Left to Right composition rule involves positioning the subject on the left side of the frame, making them look or move towards the right. This technique leverages the natural way viewers scan an image, particularly in cultures accustomed to reading from left to right, creating a dynamic and engaging visual flow.
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Why position the subject on the left side of the image?Positioning the subject on the left side of the image takes advantage of the natural reading and viewing habits of people in Western cultures, who tend to scan images starting from the left. This positioning guides viewers through the image in a comfortable and familiar pattern, enhancing the photo's impact.
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How does the Left to Right rule enhance storytelling in photographs?By having the subject look or move towards the right, photographers can introduce a sense of direction, movement, and mystery to their images. This technique encourages viewers to ponder what has captured the subject's attention or where they are heading, adding a storytelling aspect to the photograph.
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Can the Left to Right rule be applied to all types of photography?Yes, the Left to Right rule can be applied across various photography genres, including sports, street photography, portraits, and more. It is especially effective in scenes with moving subjects, such as racing cars, sailboats, airplanes, and people walking or running.
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How does cultural reading direction influence the effectiveness of this composition rule?Cultural reading direction significantly influences how viewers perceive an image. In cultures where reading occurs from right to left, such as those using Arabic and Hebrew scripts, the visual path through an image may be reversed. Photographers working in these cultures might place the main subject on the right side of the frame for a more natural viewing experience for their audience.
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How can photographers implement the Left to Right rule in their work?Photographers can implement the Left to Right rule by using tools like the Wise Camera app, which offers guidelines for positioning subjects. They should ensure the subject is placed on the left, looking or moving towards the right, and leave ample space on the right side of the frame for the subject to "move into." This composition approach makes photos more appealing and engaging to viewers, encouraging them to explore the entire image.