{"id":359456,"date":"2021-03-15T17:27:56","date_gmt":"2021-03-15T17:27:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/?post_type=learning-centre&p=359456"},"modified":"2024-04-15T17:00:46","modified_gmt":"2024-04-15T16:00:46","slug":"symmetry-and-patterns","status":"publish","type":"learning-centre","link":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-gb\/learning-centre\/symmetry-and-patterns\/","title":{"rendered":"Symmetry and Patterns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Our brains are hardwired to look for patterns and symmetry, and probably did so originally to ensure our survival as a species. For early man, choosing a mate, finding food, and distinguishing predators all relied on predicting symmetry on some level \u2013 no wonder we find it so satisfying in our art, architecture, and music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a few main types of symmetry \u2013 some simple, others complex \u2013\u00a0but all are really powerful for creating great photography. Pictures that make good use of symmetry tend to create more of a \u2018wow\u2019 factor when we see them for the first time and look great hung on the wall as large prints. Symmetry can also create balance in a picture and convey a sense of calm, even a sense of unease if everything looks a little too perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a9 Michael Melford<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Where to Find Symmetry and Patterns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At its most basic, symmetry requires part of the picture to be duplicated and then positioned in a place that\u2019s easy for our brains to predict. This could be formed by the reflection of a landscape in water, the view down a long, straight road, or the doorways and arches in a building. You can also photograph highly symmetrical objects in a way that shows off their regularity, like cars, aircraft and boats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a9 Simon Lewis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Symmetry doesn\u2019t always have to be caused by reflections. Rotational symmetry is seen in the spiral shapes that are often found in nature, such as the arrangement of petals in a flower, or the curve of a snail shell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While simple symmetry like this has a certain purity to it, you can also find symmetry in the repeating patterns made by collections of objects \u2013 both man-made and natural. For example: logs in a woodpile, clay tiles on a roof, or tidal patterns in the sand. Simple repetition can be a great way to inject some humour into a scene, such as the happy accident of two people on the street who happen to be doing the same thing at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a9 Jonathan Irish\n\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photographing Symmetry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to photographing symmetry, the key is not overcomplicating it. All you really need to do is put the subject centre stage and make sure there\u2019s nothing else in the frame to steal attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can be tricky to get dead centre to a scene and this can take some practice. To ensure that your shot is level, you can use your X Series camera\u2019s built-in electronic level. Turn this on from the camera\u2019s main menu:<\/p>\n\n\n

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