Photography patterns are a wonderful subject to know in and out. Not only is it fun to look for patterns everywhere you go, but patterns also help create a sense of consistency and rhythm that makes photos more interesting to look at. Read on to learn how focusing on patterns can help take your photography skills to the next level.
Where to Find Photography Patterns
Patterns are everywhere; you just have to know what you are looking for. Patterns are graphic elements in your environment that repeat enough to form an eye-pleasing rhythm. These could be shapes, colors, lines, and even structures that look alike or anything that has a repetitive similarity that looks good to the eye. Look for repetition and similarity, whether it’s the rounded shape of eggs lined up in a carton or a row of Chinese lanterns hanging outside a restaurant. Patterns can be large or small, but they make for interesting camera subjects.
Fill the Frame
Patterns are better appreciated when they become the focus of the shot. It is often easier to see patterns if they occupy most, if not all, of the frame because you eliminate other elements that only distract from the pattern you want to show. You can include a detail here and there to break the monotony and add one more interesting element to the shot that can also be used to tell a story, but, for the most part, filling the frame with the pattern is the way to go. To do this, go close so that the pattern fills all corners, and you eliminate any sense of context or scale.
Regular and Irregular Patterns
Patterns are created out of regular repetition. From the slats of a wooden fence to the individual blades of a palm front, you are drawing focus on patterns when you frame that part of the subject that repeats regularly. Look for regularity.
Irregular patterns have their own kind of charm because they encourage viewers to see better. Easy patterns like repeating lines and shapes are easy to spot, but irregular patterns, like different sizes of buttons on a flatlay or the different curves on clouds on the horizon, take more effort to spot. However, when viewed collectively, they still look interesting and pleasing to the eye. Go big by getting a higher vantage point or go small. Nature is the best source of irregular patterns that may be hard to see at first glance but beautiful once found.
How to Emphasize Patterns
To emphasize patterns, zoom in and fill the frame. Use a telephoto lens to make it easier to emphasize patterns to simply get closer to your subject. You can also crop during editing to remove any elements that may distract from the pattern that is the focus of your image.
Break the Rule
There is no set rule in photographing patterns. They don’t have to converge towards one direction or have to be spaced in parallel lines in a rigid and specific way. Patterns don’t have to be naturally occurring to be interesting enough to shoot. You can create interesting patterns with things you have at home. Patterns that intersect and mix together can create interesting images that can help viewers sharpen their observation skills.
Looking for and shooting photography patterns is one way to maintain a creative outlook. It doesn’t matter where you are. You can always find patterns big and small wherever you go. Use patterns as your inspiration to keep your eyes open for beautiful and interesting images.