The word symmetry originates from the ancient Greek word, ‘symmetria’ and approximately means ‘equal proportions’ or an ‘agreement in dimensions’. In modern language though, symmetry means something that has parts which mirror each other.
Nature is full of examples of symmetry and that even includes the human body! Imagine if you folded a picture of the human body in half down the middle – each side would be a mirror of the other which means that it is symmetrical, at least partially.
Birds are also partially symmetrical, as are leaves, insects, fish and much more! However, it’s only not restricted to the natural world because many man made objects are also symmetrical, including cars, buildings, houses and ships.
Why Use Symmetries in Photography?
It’s not known exactly why, but humans subconsciously find symmetry to be a beautiful quality in art, sculpture, paintings and photography. It is thought that the balanced shape and equal proportions are something that humans instinctively look for in their partners and therefore notice it on a subconscious level in photography.
Given the power of symmetry, which is a wide spread characteristic of the world around us, photographers and artists make great use of it in their work. The impact on their audiences is almost always a positive one and gives their photos a pleasing feeling of harmoniousness.
Some of the examples of symmetry are more conceptual – for instance a wedding photo with the bride and groom in the centre with their families on either side of them in a row. Now, of course, on a granular level the image is not precisely symmetrical but it still reflects that sense of balance – which is why that set up is so often used. The same applies to school photos, where the students are commonly lined up in height order, with the shorter students on the fringes to create an approximate symmetry.
The Main Types of Symmetry Used in Photography.
There are several different types of symmetry that can occur, both in nature and in photography. Being able to distinguish the different types of symmetry and make use of it when you spot it is a great asset for any photographer.
Vertical Symmetry.
Vertical symmetry occurs when you can draw an imaginary line down the center of an object and the two sides reflect each other. This is probably the most common type of symmetry that you’ll see in photography. The two halves of the image are balanced and reflect each other to create a harmonious image.
To use vertical symmetry in a photo the subject doesn’t have to be in the center of the frame because you can use symmetry anywhere within the image.
The photo below is a powerful example of vertical symmetry. Although the image is highly complex the structural features of the Metro station are symmetrical, including the elaborate pillars that run along the sides.
The central point is highlighted by the chandelier hanging from the ceiling and this helps to create strong leading lines and an intense vanishing point. Further to the architecture, the light cast along the middle part of the flooring acts as a subtle indicator of the center line of the symmetry.
Horizontal Symmetry.
Horizontal symmetry is based on a central line with the upper and lower parts of the object, or image, reflecting one another. For instance, a human being is vertically symmetrical but not horizontally symmetrical because the top half of a person is a completely different shape to the bottom half!
In photography, the symmetry does not have to be universal within the frame – although it can be. More commonly though, horizontal symmetry makes up a part of the image and is often the focal point of the composition.
Horizontal symmetry is frequently used in landscape photography and although these symmetries are often created using reflections on bodies of water – a mountain lake reflecting the scenery above it for instance – it doesn’t always have to use reflections. This is the reason why horizontal symmetry in photography is often confused with reflective symmetry which always requires reflections to be classified that way.
Above is a highly stylized and artistic panorama that is a fantastic example of horizontal symmetry in action. The colors of the sun going down are caught in both the clouds and the water beneath which together create an extremely balanced ensemble that is full of subtle emotive cues.
Vertical and Horizontal Symmetry.
When you’re using symmetry in your photography you don’t have to stick to one type! It’s obviously harder to find scenes which have more than one type of symmetry in them however when you do it can have a very striking impact on the viewer.
Multiple symmetries that are occurring simultaneously are often found in architectural and cityscape photography.
Radial Symmetry.
Radial symmetry is based on patterns that form concentric circles that repeat as they ‘radiate’ outwards from a central point. A perfect example of radial symmetry is the pattern that is made when you drop a stone into a pool of water – with the ripples creating a radially symmetric pattern.
These types of symmetry are fairly common in nature but you can also find them in the manmade environment and they are always an interesting, and sometimes mesmerizing, focal point for a photograph. Man made examples of radial symmetry include wheels, domes and even some highways intersections.
Objects that have radial symmetry also display horizontal and vertical symmetry however their main feature is the circular element of their composition.
In the example below the flowers exhibit a radial symmetry – also known as a Fibonacci spiral. These patterns can also be found in seashells, ripples on a pond and everywhere in the botanical world.
You can also find radial symmetries in the city and below is a lovely example of a cathedral roof. The design of the roof is quite spectacular and the image includes multiple symmetries as well as its radial element.
Reflective Symmetry.
Reflective symmetry is a compositional technique whereby reflections are used to create symmetries within an image. Common ways of doing this are by using reflections on water, in windows, against buildings in the city or on mirrors. This instantly creates interesting new perspectives in the photo and can be used to great effect.
In this image a beautiful reflective symmetry is created by the water and gives the photo the feel of a painting!
Why is Symmetry Important in Photography?
Symmetry is a powerful tool that photographers can use to create harmonious, naturally balanced and beautiful images that people just love to look at! Symmetry in art connects with something deep in the human soul and so making use of it in your work – not always, but when it fits – can allow you to connect with your audience on an almost subconscious level!
Symmetry can be used in all genres of photography and can really draw people’s attention to the parts of the image that you want them to focus on. There’s plenty of room to experiment with symmetry in your work and so whether you’re shooting photos of the natural or the man-made world it’s something to keep your eye out for.
Do you use symmetry in your photography?
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