— There is always something very pleasing when a photograph displays balance in its composition. That is generally an element that, when present, can make a photo better. In this week’s Lens-Artists challenge, Sofia gave us several examples of symmetry in photography. You should check out her post. Since I personally look for symmetry in the world around me, this challenge was particularly fun and challenging at the same time. Coming down to a few examples of symmetry in my own photo library was an exercise in control.
Symmetry is not synonymous with perfection. For example, it may not be obviously symmetrical when you are at ground level at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. However, if you climb the steps to the top of the dome, you will see the obvious symmetry on the square. Incidentally, between that obelisk and each fountain in the center of the square, there are two discs on the ground. If you stand on either one, you will see the optical illusion of those four rows of columns becoming one.
Through the times, humankind has always been fascinated with symmetry. Humans found it in flowers and trees, for example. Next time you are under a coconut tree, just look up to marvel at the tree’s beautiful radial symmetry.
Symmetry in landscape photography can often bring a peaceful feeling of tranquility, especially when there are reflections such as in these photos at Mills Pond (Austin) and Enchanted Rock SNA.
At times, symmetry can make you pause and think about what is going on around you. This next photo at the Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend NP often gets visitors to ponder which way the Rio Grande is flowing (the answer appears after the photo). The lines on the canyon walls create an optical illusion of an incline.
The Rio Grande flows right to left in the photo above.
Trying to incorporate symmetry in everyday objects often leads to remarkable creativity. These are far from everyday objects to the common folk, but these three Ferraris do display great symmetry in their designs and styles.
Personally, I love to find symmetry in architecture, such as in the opening photo of this post. Since we love to visit churches in our travels, we often encounter a lot of symmetry there. Look, for example, at Brazil‘s National Cathedral in Brasília. It was one of the designs created by renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer for Brazil‘s capital. You can see other buildings he designed as well as the cathedral’s interior here.
In Peru, we saw many memorable examples of architectural symmetry both in Lima’s National Cathedral as well as in the Palace of the Archbishop.
Sometimes, when we make photos, we forget to experiment with different perspectives. I recall, for example, that countless times we walked under the arch on Lisbon‘s Augusta Street. One day, I simply had to stop and look up. This is what I saw. Just look at the perfect symmetry from many axes, be they horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
When we visited the small city of Elvas (Portugal), we were also mesmerized by what we saw when we looked up at the ceiling of the Church of Our Lady of Assumption. Does it look like a kaleidoscope image to you?
Finally, I will close with the São Paulo Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral da Sé). Here you have a classic example of rotational symmetry. If you rotate the image on its center, you basically have the same symmetry repeated eight times around that octagon.
If you want to learn more about the Lens-Artists challenge, please see this post.
marina
beautiful, beautiful images!
Egídio Leitão
Marina, thank you so much for the compliment and for visiting my blog. I appreciate it a lot.
Amy
Amazing!!
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, Amy
philosophy through photography
What a variety!
Love the flowers!
Egídio Leitão
I confess it was hard trying to limit the number of photos. Thank you for the feedback. Glad you liked the post.
philosophy through photography
Don’t limit yourself, when you have such a wonderful collection (of course keeping in mind storage space allotted by WP)
Egídio Leitão
Thank you so much, Mr. Philo. I’m sure the lens-artists’ challenges will alwasy be a good way to share more photos. Luckily for me, I host my site outside of WP.
philosophy through photography
Wow!
That’s good news!
No limit and you can post choicest images!
👍👍👍
Nicole Sara
Incredible photos, so beautiful… the radial symmetry with the coconut tree, and the cathedral arches! Indeed, they do look Kaleidoscopic, almost hypnotizing… a delightful post to read and admire!
Egídio Leitão
Thanks for the compliment, Nicole. So glad you liked the photos and could immerse yourself in the stories and scenes.
Anne Sandler
Beautiful symmetry! Loved the images.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you kindly, Anne. I appreciated your feedback and complement.
Perpetua
I remember on top of the dome of Vatican taking a picture similar to yours. Thanks for the memories.
Egídio Leitão
You’re very welcome! Thanks for your comment.
sandyjwhite
Love your gallery, especially the architectural images.
Egídio Leitão
I am so glad you liked it, Sandy. Thanks for the feedback.
sandyjwhite
You are most welcome.
Leya
From the first image I knew this challenge was made for you, Egidio! An astonishing display of symmetry – and your neck must suffer or do you use the floor? Absolutely gorgeous display. Thank you for posting this excellent gallery. And, I am sure you have more to come further on!
Egídio Leitão
Ann-Christine, thank you for your strong complimentary words. I am touched. To answer your questions, sometimes I do look up, but with my camera’s LCD screen being fully articulated, it’s now easier to get those shots.
Ana
Great pictures!!!
Egídio Leitão
Thanks for the feedback, Ana.
photobyjohnbo
Wow, Egidio, beautiful examples of symmetry. I especially love the composition of the church!
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, John. This was such a great challenge.
pattimoed
Fantastic gallery and fantastic post, Egidio. Truly wonderful examples and explanation of the beauty and benefits of symmetry. Terrific! Now, I’m wondering how you’ll explore asymmetry!!
Egídio Leitão
Patti, like you, I am also wondering how I’ll explore asymmetry. That’ll be a tough challenge, especially when I’m often looking for symmetry. Thanks for your feedback.
Rebecca Cuningham
Wow, the ceilings are awesome!
Egídio Leitão
Glad you liked them. Looking at ceilings in churches always leads me to good symmetry.
Wind Kisses
Egidio, absolutely stunning galleries. The last two are almost like looking into a kaleidoscope- mirrors, detail and precision. Wow. While I love the reflections, I can’t choose a favorite, and the capture of the Rio Grand was unique and interesting. That is a fun trail. I had a few photos from Big Bend for the challenge, but my ideas shifted and they didn’t make the cut. Fantastic post!!!! Always a pleasure.
Egídio Leitão
Donna, thank you very much for you great feedback. I know the feeling about leaving some photos behind for this challenge. The same happened to me. Thanks again for your compliment.
Wind Kisses
Always.
jazzibee
Super selection, Egidio! You’ve really made the most out of those amazing buildings.
Egídio Leitão
Jim, I appreciate your feedback. Thank you.
Anita
Now I am almost speechless after looking at your absolutely amazing photos where you emphasize symmetry so masterfully. I love your first image, but I have a hard time choosing a favorite as they are all so good, each in their own way. At least I have to admit that I am impressed, well done Egídio!
Egídio Leitão
Anita, I am so happy you liked the photos. Thank you for the feedback. That first image seems to be getting a lot of attention.
boromax
Wow. These photos are extraordinary! Well done, Egidio!! ~Ed.
Egídio Leitão
Ed, I thank you for your wonderful feedback. I appreciated it.
Tina Schell
Good heavens Egidio, what a display of symmetry you’ve shared this week! I can see why you’d have trouble paring down your selection and can only imaging the images you left behind!! My apologies but I simply cannot choose a favorite, they are all magnificent!
Egídio Leitão
Tina, this was an excellent challenge that made me revisit some beautiful places we’ve been to. Thank you for your support and compliment. They mean a lot to me.
Sofia Alves
Wonderful post, Egídio. Fascinating photos, all of them but I’m really drawn to the architecture ones, Lisbon included!
Egídio Leitão
Sofia, I confess it was difficult to limit myself to this wonderful challenge. I had so many shots from Portugal. Well, I’m sure there’ll be other chances to feature them. Thank you for such a rewarding challenge.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Wow, the header was a stopper, glad oi continued because so were the rest of your choices.
Egídio Leitão
Ritva, thank you for writing back. I appreciate your feedback.
margaret21
Great examples of symmetry in the natural world, and I enjoyed seeing the architecture of buildings totally unknown to me too.
Egídio Leitão
Margaret, I’m glad you liked the photos. Thank you. This challenge made me revisit some past trips I had almost forgotten.
JohnRH
WOW. Bursting with symmetry! Quite outstanding. Love that banner shot, the many ceilings, the fancy sports cars. Amazing display.
Egídio Leitão
John, thank you for the compliment and enthusiast feedback. The banner shot seems to be getting a lot of attention.
Alison
Wonderful examples Egidio, a good collation. I know how long these posts take to put together!
Egídio Leitão
Alison, thank you for your compliment and understanding.
nesfelicio
Wonderful photos! I like them all, but I specially like the architectural shots. Great response to the challenge.
Egídio Leitão
Nes, I appreciate your compliment. Man, was it hard to select just a few photos!
nesfelicio
I’m sure there’s more where it came from. 😊