Finding patterns, lines and shapes in your photography.

1. Finding shapes,Finding shapes,
patternspatterns
and linesand lines
Photo 1Photo 1
Ms.YoungMs.Young

2. Patterns are everywherePatterns are everywhere
Think about the world around you.
-What kind of natural patterns do you
see right now?
We often become blind to the patterns around
us because we see them all the time. Good
photographers can retrain their eye to pick up
on the patters that everyone else has learned
to ignore.

3. Patterns are everywherePatterns are everywhere
 Patterns, both natural andPatterns, both natural and
man-made, bring a senseman-made, bring a sense
of visual rhythm andof visual rhythm and
harmony to photographsharmony to photographs
that capture thethat capture the
imagination. Patternsimagination. Patterns
appear whenever strongappear whenever strong
graphic elements—lines,graphic elements—lines,
colors, shapes, or forms—colors, shapes, or forms—
repeat themselves.repeat themselves.

4. There are two approaches to patternsThere are two approaches to patterns
Emphasize the patternEmphasize the pattern Break the patternBreak the pattern

5. Capturing PatternsCapturing Patterns
The most effective way toThe most effective way to
capture a pattern is tocapture a pattern is to
photograph it from a varietyphotograph it from a variety
of angles. Dozens of shotsof angles. Dozens of shots
of the same thing fromof the same thing from
many different angles canmany different angles can
help you determine whichhelp you determine which
kind of angle is going tokind of angle is going to
have the strongest impacthave the strongest impact
for the viewer.for the viewer.

6. CapturingCapturing
PatternsPatterns
The key to emphasizing patternsThe key to emphasizing patterns
is to isolate them from theiris to isolate them from their
surroundings. By excludingsurroundings. By excluding
everything but the design, youeverything but the design, you
create the illusion that thecreate the illusion that the
repetition is infinite, extendingrepetition is infinite, extending
beyond the frame.beyond the frame.

7. LinesLines
Lines have many uses in aLines have many uses in a
photograph. They can divide,photograph. They can divide,
unify, or accent certain parts of aunify, or accent certain parts of a
composition.composition.
Lines lead the eye into a scene.Lines lead the eye into a scene.
Stand on a train platform andStand on a train platform and
you'll see it's all but impossible toyou'll see it's all but impossible to
keep your eye from following thekeep your eye from following the
line of the tracks to the horizon.line of the tracks to the horizon.
Parallel lines that appear toParallel lines that appear to
converge this way create what'sconverge this way create what's
known as one-point or linearknown as one-point or linear
perspective, potent for showingperspective, potent for showing
distance and depth in adistance and depth in a
photograph. Curved lines can leadphotograph. Curved lines can lead
equally well: The undulating linesequally well: The undulating lines
of the country road draw the eyeof the country road draw the eye
into the frame.into the frame.

8. LinesLines
Leading lines are most effectiveLeading lines are most effective
when there is some relationwhen there is some relation
between line and subject, such asbetween line and subject, such as
winding stone steps leading to awinding stone steps leading to a
castle door. You can exaggeratecastle door. You can exaggerate
their impact further by using atheir impact further by using a
wide-angle lens and finding awide-angle lens and finding a
vantage point close to thevantage point close to the
beginning of the lines—kneeling tobeginning of the lines—kneeling to
get close to train tracks, forget close to train tracks, for
example.example.

9. LinesLines
The shape and the direction ofThe shape and the direction of
lines in a photograph are alsolines in a photograph are also
forceful setters of mood. Straightforceful setters of mood. Straight
lines, whether vertical orlines, whether vertical or
horizontal, seem stable andhorizontal, seem stable and
formal. The sharp lines of a picketformal. The sharp lines of a picket
fence have little sensuousness,fence have little sensuousness,
but consider the alluring slopes ofbut consider the alluring slopes of
rolling hills or a tanned body lyingrolling hills or a tanned body lying
on the beach.on the beach.

10. LinesLines
•HorizontalHorizontal andand
CurvedCurved Lines createLines create
a sense of calm ora sense of calm or
peacepeace
• DiagonalDiagonal oror
VerticalVertical lines createlines create
a sense of tensiona sense of tension

11. What sort of feeling does this photoWhat sort of feeling does this photo
create?create?

12. Finding and Using ShapesFinding and Using Shapes

13. What shapes do you see?What shapes do you see?

14. Adding ShapesAdding Shapes
Shapes often get forgotten.Shapes often get forgotten.
The easiest way to emphasizeThe easiest way to emphasize
shape in your photos is to get inshape in your photos is to get in
close and focus on the shape youclose and focus on the shape you
want to draw attention to.want to draw attention to.
To help train your eye to findTo help train your eye to find
shapes, pick a shape (square,shapes, pick a shape (square,
circle, etc.) and spend an entirecircle, etc.) and spend an entire
session shooting only that shape.session shooting only that shape.

15. Remember…Remember…
…… patterns,patterns,
line and shapeline and shape
don’t have todon’t have to
be obvious!be obvious!

16. Not sureNot sure
where towhere to
start?start?
Keep it simple.Keep it simple.
Find something small and focusFind something small and focus
on it.on it.
Get in close and eliminateGet in close and eliminate
elements that don’telements that don’t
compliment your subject.compliment your subject.