Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #116: Symmetry
This week, Patti invites us to explore Symmetry as a way to create dramatic and impactful images. I made a quick review of symmetry in photography and learned something new. Thank you, Patti.
There are four most common types of symmetry in photography
Vertical Symmetry
Vertical symmetry is the most common type of symmetry. Draw an imaginary vertical line at the center of the photo, if both sides are symmetrical, your photo will look visually appealing. Vertical symmetry is often used in architectural photography. It emphasizes the size, shape, and design of buildings.
This Tea Garden at a restaurant in Hong Kong in which my nephew and his wife had the tea ceremony before the wedding banquet.
Kasuga Grand Shrine in Nara, Japan, is famous for its many bronze lanterns, as well as the many stone lanterns that lead up the shrine.
The Champ de Mars is one of the most beautiful, large public green spaces in Paris, France. This is one of the 360o views on the viewing level of the Eiffel Tower.
Horizontal Symmetry
Horizontal symmetry is often used in landscape photography. Especially when a body of water is present. This can be confused with reflective symmetry. The difference is that horizontal symmetry does not necessarily have to feature a reflection. Reflective symmetry always does.
The following beach photo shows the horizon reaching the sky, and the horizontal lines of the waves, and the line between the sand and water.
Seville was one of our stops during the Spain tour. This photo shows both vertical and horizontal symmetry. This is the Plaza de España in Seville built in 1928. It is a landmark example of Regionalism Architecture, mixing elements of the Baroque Revival, Renaissance Revival and Moorish Revival styles of Spanish architecture.
Radial Symmetry
Radial symmetry usually involves shapes that go round and round with the same patterns. This is often associated with ripples, succulents, domes, wheels, etc.
There are many circular layers in the Central Garden at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles.
Reflective Symmetry
As its name suggests, reflective symmetry is all about reflections. We can find reflections in water, surfaces like glass, and buildings to create a mirror image.
This is the Patio de los Arrayanes in Alhambra, Spain. The image of the building is reflected in the pond.
Our favorite get away is the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles. This part of the Chinese Garden is reflected in the pond.
The Showers of Blessings 