Lines and Patterns
Video: Lines and Patterns
Challenge level
DIFFICULT
MODERATE
EASY
Main subject and supporting elements you might need
Good for scenes such as architecture, forest trees, beach sunshades, and scenes with repeating similar elements.
Lines and Patterns
Images filled with lines or patterns add something special to your portfolio. It’s one of the Wise Camera app artistic composition rules that shows you have an awareness of your environment, and finding them provides a lot of fun at the same time.
Repetition in patterns is appreciated by photographers and anyone who takes the time to notice it. Our brains love images showing repeated objects nicely aligned in a structured manner because this type of pattern is symmetrical, which feels orderly and safe. Being able to detect patterns is an important part of how people learn and make decisions. Detecting patterns in behavior and circumstances is subconsciously looked for all the time, as this helps people predict what might happen next. This is why seeing repeated lines or patterns in a photograph catches people’s attention and has instant appeal, even as abstract photography.
Lines and patterns often occur in photographs, but usually, that’s in conjunction with the main subject. In this blog post, I’m suggesting that bold lines and textured patterns can be subjects in themselves. Discovering scenes of lines and patterns often happens through serendipity as you go about other types of photography, but when you want to feature them in an image, there are certain factors to keep in mind.
Where to Find Good Lines and Patterns
Lines and patterns are everywhere in nature, on city streets, and throughout industrial areas as well. If you go exploring, you will find them. One of the best places to discover lines and patterns is in your city. Look as you wander through any city, and you’ll soon find textured patterns on buildings, storefronts, and even in construction areas. If nothing grabs your attention after a short while, take another approach and go to the roof of a parking lot or a building observation deck and look down. Now you’ll see patterns of small buildings, repeated shadows throughout the city, and perhaps a series of tiles on adjacent roofs. Lines and patterns can be found in nature when hiking and you find trees of the same species aligned and spaced equally, repeating dune formations across the scene, or cliffs with horizontal layered soil.
Lines can also easily be found in architecture. Huge columns standing solemnly at the front of old banks, rows of windows on hotels, and decorative panels on the sides of modern buildings—they all contain an appealing style of repetition—which provides great opportunities for abstract photos.
An escalator in a shopping mall is a good example of a series of lines that turns into a pattern as well. The horizontal lines forming the steps of the escalator become blocks of rectangles that are repeated all the way up. As a bonus, the handrails and foot guards become a series of lines that guide the eyes to the top of the image. When you face this scene in a shopping center, open the Wise Camera app on your iPhone and tap the screen to rotate the guidelines from vertical to horizontal to find which composition works best in your situation. If you realize later that you became distracted when taking one of your photos and you didn’t line up the scene well enough, use the Wise Photos app to fine-tune the composition.
Industrial areas are one of the most likely places to find man-made patterns. Look at machinery, factory walls, and stacks of pipes—you’ll find an inexhaustible supply of subjects at this type of location. When you are editing some of these images, try a black & white filter to enhance the texture of the pattern. These black & white tones make the viewer focus on the pattern rather than being distracted by any shades of color that may otherwise be present.
How to Make Your Own Patterns
Finding lines and patterns as you are photographing on location is very satisfying, but if you have the urge to create something interesting, you can manipulate situations so that you can photograph everyday objects and turn them into abstract images.
A series of bottles tightly grouped together and photographed from the right angle makes an ideal pattern, especially if you get in so close that the viewer has to take a moment to work out what the objects are in the photograph. Make this abstract image into a story by making sure all of the bottles are new, except for one with an open top. This creates a focal point for the eyes and makes the viewer question the circumstances of the situation. Use the Wise Camera app to line them up perfectly straight and have the open bottle in the exact center of the image to reinforce the symmetry of the shot.
A Final Line or Two
Abstract photography gives you the opportunity to be playful and adventurous with your iPhone. In combination with the Wise Camera app, you can experiment with this composition format to create images filled with dramatic lines and exciting patterns.
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.