Repetition and Rhythm in Your Photos

Posted on | August 13, 2009 | No Comments

Usually, subjects are preferred to be in contrast with the background. Photographs of this kind have their point of interest set on your subject grabbing all the attention to it. But not all photos have to be the same. Creating a rhythm between all the image’s elements works very well in many cases. Thus, the attention of the observer will move smoothly from one point to the next following this rhythm.

It is a concept similar to rhymes in poetry. In photographs, rhythm is usually a result of the existence of a certain pattern . These patterns can be due to repetition in shapes,  colors, or even positions of objects. The result is a relaxing photo on which the observer can rest his eyes while checking it.

Patterns are everywhere, and they can be created easily too. Rows of street light posts, trees in forests, leaves on trees, the possibilities are quite endless. A lot more patterns can be created out of similarities in colors, shapes, or even arrangement of any kind of objects. Look closer (literally) and you will find even more patterns. This is because many solid objects at very close range will show some sort of repeated textures on their surfaces.

While patterns are good compositional tools, they don’t always seem as good in simple compositions. So, breaking a pattern is sometimes desired too. Photos with missing elements inside a repetition are usually very interesting, as they will leave the observer thinking. Another usage of patterns is to fill the background, only to be broken by the subject in the foreground. In this case, rhythm throughout the photo is sacrificed for setting the focal point on the subject, while the background still gives some sort of uniformity to the picture.

A rhythm of colors can also be created. Related color tones or harmonic colors can be employed instead of strong contrasting colors. The principle relies upon creating a comfortable feel in which the subject blends smoothly with the background.

The placement of objects inside a composition affect the rhythm of the photograph in a big way too. Objects with similar positions will relate to each other, and those arranged in a certain scheme will create a feel of continuous flow. Both situations create some sort of comfort to the observer’s eyes.

The process of producing photos with rhythm may seem a little difficult to grasp, as it is a bit different from other compositional approaches. But as you improve your photography further, you will know exactly when to make the rhythm and when to break it.

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photography

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