Dynamic Symmetry
DYNAMIC SYMMETRY
Good for street photography and scenes where you want to convey action.
Dynamic Symmetry is a compositional framework that uses a grid of diagonal, reciprocal, horizontal, and vertical lines to create flow, rhythm, and balance in a photo. Derived from mathematical ratios like the Golden Ratio, this grid helps photographers arrange elements to guide the viewer’s eye dynamically through the composition. Diagonal and reciprocal lines emphasize motion and action, while horizontal and vertical lines introduce calm and balance, making the technique versatile for both dynamic and tranquil scenes. Line up the main subject and supporting elements to the diagonals or parallel lines.
What it's good for
Dynamic Symmetry is ideal for creating balanced yet dynamic compositions, particularly in complex scenes with multiple elements. It helps emphasize movement and flow by aligning subjects along the diagonal lines, while supporting elements on horizontal and vertical lines provide areas of rest. This technique is particularly well-suited to street photography, where it highlights interesting subjects and interactions while maintaining visual harmony. It’s also effective for storytelling in busy or layered scenes.
When to use it
This technique is best used in scenes where there are multiple elements to organize, such as groups of people in street photography, landscapes, or complex architectural shots. Use Dynamic Symmetry to lead the viewer’s eye across the frame with motion and rhythm, or to balance activity with areas of calm. It is particularly effective when capturing action or interaction, making it a go-to choice for storytelling and visually rich compositions.
Step to apply the artistic composition
Identify the Scene's Main Subject: Look for a group of objects or subjects that can align with the diagonal or reciprocal lines of the grid.
Align with Diagonal Lines: Position the main subject or key elements along the diagonal and reciprocal lines to convey flow and rhythm.
Find Supporting Elements: Arrange complementary objects along the horizontal and vertical lines to add balance and structure.
Use Horizontal and Vertical Lines: Incorporate elements along these lines to provide areas of calm and rest within the composition.
Layer the Grid: Start with the two corner-to-corner diagonals and gradually add the reciprocal, horizontal, and vertical lines to refine the composition.
Balance the Frame: Ensure that the motion created by the diagonals is balanced by the stability of the horizontal and vertical elements.
Refine the Flow: Adjust the alignment of elements to guide the viewer’s eye naturally through the scene, creating a harmonious rhythm and balance.
NOTE: Dynamic Symmetry and Harmonic Armature are both grid-based compositional frameworks, but they differ in structure and focus. Dynamic Symmetry emphasizes energy and movement by using diagonal and reciprocal lines derived from mathematical ratios like the Golden Ratio, making it ideal for capturing dynamic and action-driven scenes such as street photography and landscapes. In contrast, Harmonic Armature focuses on balance and proportional relationships by incorporating intersecting diagonal, horizontal, and vertical lines, which makes it better suited for creating structured and harmonious compositions in still life, portraits, and architecture. While Dynamic Symmetry prioritizes motion and flow, Harmonic Armature offers subtle rhythm and order, catering to distinct creative intents.
Overview
Dynamic Symmetry
Symmetry is highly valued in photography to express simplicity and harmony. In a symmetrical photo, a motionless subject is usually placed in the middle of the image and oozes stillness and calmness. The term ‘dynamic symmetry’ sounds like the opposite of this, and that’s definitely the case. In name and style, this artistic composition rule suggests life and movement. Using this technique gives your photos an atmosphere of intensity.
What is Dynamic Symmetry?
Dynamic symmetry is a composition style created from a series of diagonal, horizontal, and vertical lines. It looks confusing, but it has a mathematical basis and is a form of geometry that helps your photos come alive. It’s very similar to the photographer’s technique called ‘the rule of thirds, but it goes beyond this.
In the rule of thirds, the screen shows a simple grid-like game of tic-tac-toe. The idea is to position the main subject along with one of these lines. In the case of a landscape, you have the horizon on the top or bottom line. It’s a pleasing composition, but it can be a bit boring. Dynamic symmetry takes this concept to the next level. Diagonal lines run through the grid, starting at each corner and crossing every intersection point. A good photographer follows the rule of thirds, but a great photographer pays attention to the lines of dynamic symmetry and places important elements of the image along those diagonal lines.
History of Dynamic Symmetry
The ancient Greeks and the Egyptians adored the mystery and beauty of geometry, so it’s not surprising that they used dynamic symmetry in their architecture and art. In more recent times, this style of composition is seen in Vincent van Gogh’s painting of his colorful chair and in Salvador Dali’s surrealism.
Even though the lines we now call ‘dynamic symmetry’ have been around for more than two thousand years, this name was first coined by Jay Hambidge in his book, ‘The Elements of Dynamic Symmetry, published in 1919. It was originally aimed at artists but soon entered the world of photography, where this form of composition was promoted by Henri Cartier-Bresson. Using this pattern, he became one of the most famous photographers of all time.
How to Use Dynamic Symmetry
Some photographers like to point and shoot; others take their time, walk around an interesting subject, and compose a photo before pressing the shutter. It’s the latter type of camera user who enjoys the challenges and benefits of dynamic symmetry. It’s this person who sees the beauty and structure in mathematics and knows how to translate that into a composition that’s pleasing to the eye.
The easiest way to experiment with this form of composition is to open the Wise Camera app on your iPhone, touch the dynamic symmetry icon, and you will see this geometrical pattern over the image you are photographing. There’s a grid cutting your iPhone’s screen into multiple angles, and from the position of the main subject in this grid, a story begins. The horizontal and vertical lines are places of stability, so locate your main subject there for a relaxed image. Use supporting elements along with the other horizontal and vertical guidelines if you want to keep the photo balanced and calm. Align walls and buildings with that grid to point to the subject without overwhelming it. However, if you want drama and energy in your photo, position your main subject along a diagonal line. Add more tension by placing extra elements on the intersecting diagonal lines. Narrow shapes such as tree branches, strips of light, and colorful reflections work well to grab attention before it’s redirected towards the focus of the image.
Having a grid on your iPhone screen makes it easy to follow the concept of dynamic symmetry. After trying the Wise Camera app, a few people commented, “If only I could see this guideline through the viewfinder of my mirrorless camera!” That’s not possible, but when you line up a scene, and you wonder how to incorporate dynamic symmetry in that image, open the Wise Camera app on your iPhone and place it next to the camera’s viewfinder to help you follow this tricky but artistic composition rule.
A Dynamic Conclusion
The composition rule of dynamic symmetry used to be taken into consideration after a photo was taken. The grid was placed over an image to see if it could be cropped and aligned to the dynamic symmetry pattern. You can still do this with the Wise Photos app, but why wait until after the photo is taken? With the Wise Camera app, you can apply this grid as you take the photo. Make a masterpiece while you are on location; don’t hope for the best and try to fix it later. Not everyone likes the concept of dynamic symmetry, but often that’s because they don’t take the time to understand it before they dismiss it. In my mind, if it’s good enough for Vincent, Salvador, and Henri, then it’s good enough for me!
In Depth Article
Storytelling with Artistic Composition
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