27 Effective Photographic Uses of Symmetry

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Mastering composition in photography can be a tricky subject. You have the various rules and guidelines handed down through the centuries on the one hand and then the post modernists who would throw them all out. Whichever side of that coin you fall on, eventually as a photographer, you will come to the realisation that some very powerful compositions can be made using symmetry. This collection of photographs that use symmetry show what can be done. Share your own in the comments!

symmetry
Image by Greg Jeanneau
clouds
Image by Ariel Pilotto
up and down
Image by Samuel Wong
bridge
Image by Skyler Smith
tunnel
Image by Kevin Noble
symmetry
Image by Colton Duke
symmetry
Image by Nick G
leif
Image by Wesley Gibbs
wtc
Image by Julius Drost
neighbours
Image by Sabri Tuzcu
hongkong
Image by Joel Fulgencio
pylons
Image by Matthew Henry
ancient architecture art brick
Image by Pixabay
modern staircase of white building in sunlight
Image by Retha Ferguson
fog foggy jetty lake
Image by SplitShire
road in between buildings
Image by Brayden Law
black stair low light photography
Image by Guillaume Hankenne
man walking on escalator
Image by Naveen Annam
spiral staircase decorated with modern lamps
Image by Naveen Annam
light sky building architecture
Image by Steve Pancrate
photo of people sitting inside train
Image by Luca Nardone
gray paved road tunnel
Image by Dani Muchow

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3655/4080838283_ee9a524da1.jpg

PA247964 by zeze57, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1142/614004779_048733bcf4.jpg

Copenhagen Metro by Stig Nygaard, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7048/6805519480_fd690dac1d.jpg

Forky Lines 10/52 by Skley, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1161/1255711670_1e1219c897.jpg

Symmetry by papalars, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4007/4461785976_b09842dffe.jpg

Welcome to the City by paul david (busy running!), on Flickr

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3169/2296820343_7095bda51d.jpg

The Wall of Hyatt by -Marlith-, on Flickr

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3444/3736305285_e92c89510e.jpg

Reflected Steps by Danielle Scott, on Flickr

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3578/3549914394_f2cb9be302.jpg

Central station by Stig Nygaard, on Flickr

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3132/2712447839_a00aae4297.jpg

Orangy flower by Thiru Murugan, on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/4/4402019_38c75fde4c.jpg

urban geometries 3 – takeoff by Uqbar is back, on Flickr

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2715/4189267885_035c7d9b8c.jpg

Grunge by Travis_Simon, on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5281/5319576947_f59a29be0e.jpg

Symmetry by W Mustafeez, on Flickr

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2495/4490322916_bce4773421.jpg

French Market Stop No.1 – Riverfront Streetcar, New Orleans, LA by Ed Siasoco (aka SC Fiasco), on Flickr

https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6240/6372889643_28d614894d.jpg

Untitled by gagilas, on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5221/5663203649_6efe1e6a4c.jpg

$G_{\mu
u}+\Lambda g_{\mu
u} = \frac{8\pi G}{c^4}T_{\mu
u}$

by D.H. Parks, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4140/4828153884_9b50a69af5.jpg

hochhausbalkone by loop_oh, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4071/4410093133_984192b236.jpg

Liège / Luik / Lüttich by Bert Kaufmann, on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/44/108058706_9fe6c1472c.jpg

Life by OiMax, on Flickr

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3207/2966030175_9807f54cbb.jpg

Dark Coast by nosha, on Flickr

Gray Paved Road Tunnel by Dani Muchow

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2264/2184134148_9398b5491d.jpg

A Path, St. Mark's Coptic Cathedral in Abbassiyah, Cairo by Bakar_88, on Flickr

More Photography Composition Resources

About Author

Rob is the founder of Light Stalking. His love for photography started as a child with a Kodak Instamatic and pushed him into building this fantastic place all these years later, and you can get to know him better here.
Rob's Gear
Camera: Nikon D810
Lenses: Nikkor 14-24 f/2.8, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

Great collection @lightstalking but where did you get such a great idea for this article?!

Here’s my latest symmetrical snap (I’ve been looking everywhere I go for more as well!)…

Ingrid Abraham
0 mins ago
Wow! These are great examples which prove the rule of thirds is not written in stone.

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