| Patterns are basically just repeated shapes, objects | | | | regular patterns but they are still identified as |
| or colours either ordered in precise formations or just | | | | patterns. Again by filling the frame edge to edge you |
| random designs scattered across a scene. The | | | | will emphasise the actual pattern and contain it with |
| important thing about patterns is that they create | | | | great effect. |
| images that are very pleasing to the eye and add a | | | | 3. Multiple patterns |
| new dimension to your photos. | | | | This is an interesting one and you'll often see it in a |
| Patterns can be found everywhere in our world, | | | | wall of say an ancient building where different |
| from natural forms to our urban and industrial | | | | additions have been made. The regular pattern goes |
| environments. Use them effectively in an image and | | | | in one direction and changes as a new addition of |
| you'll create a photo that is dynamic and attracts the | | | | bricks or tiles has been added hundreds of years |
| eye to the main subject or focal point. It will help you | | | | later. Brick paving leading up to a tiled wall will reveal |
| learn digital photography in interesting ways. There | | | | a contrast between two types of patterns. |
| are two ways to look at patterns. Take a bird's eye | | | | Sometimes you'll see this with the old and new as in |
| view and look down on say a car park where you'll | | | | a stone wall with a corrugated metal structure behind |
| see predictable rows of vehicles. Then the other way | | | | it. |
| is to get in closer and look for not so obvious | | | | 4. Breaking the pattern |
| patterns like tyre treads and grill patterns. If you | | | | Picture this. A tray of thirty eggs all uniform in colour |
| really want to be successful in shooting a pattern | | | | and size with just one egg that has been broken |
| make sure that you fill the whole frame so that the | | | | revealing the bright yellow yolk. The uniformity of |
| pattern extends form edge to edge. | | | | pattern is interrupted by the single broken egg. This |
| So what are the most effective ways to use | | | | doesn't weaken the patterned effect as you would |
| patterns in your photography? Here are a few ways. | | | | think but strengthens the overall image quite |
| 1. Regular patterns | | | | dramatically. These are created pattern breaks, but, |
| These are easily identifiable and make really | | | | by looking for them occurring natural is the challenge. |
| outstanding images especially when there is a lot of | | | | For example, the field of red tulips in a Dutch field |
| colour involved. Rows and rows of soldiers in red | | | | with just one yellow flower growing in the middle, or, |
| jackets make up a really great pattern formation. Be | | | | a row of cars at factory storage facility with one |
| sure to try different angles and viewpoints to get | | | | colour breaking the pattern. A fun experiment is |
| more interesting shots. Regular patterns are made up | | | | creating your own pattern breaks with shells on the |
| of ordered rows of geometric designs or other | | | | beach or acorns in a forest. You don't have to have |
| objects of the same shape and size. Office blocks | | | | an object that is different to the rest. I shot a great |
| made up of rows of windows, rows of trees in an | | | | image of a tiny shoot of a baby pine tree pushing its |
| orchard or even a honeycomb. | | | | way through a carpet of brown pine needles. The |
| 2. Irregular patterns | | | | green shoot contrasted against the brown needles |
| These form an interesting image just by the irregular | | | | and made an outstanding image. |
| nature of the pattern. Objects that are randomly | | | | As you learn digital photography, the idea of using |
| placed in a scene but fairly close together still reveal | | | | patterns creates an opportunity for seeing with your |
| a sense of repetition. For example, a sky full of | | | | photographic eye. Look for patterns within patterns |
| parachutists with coloured parachutes above them or | | | | as with the car park I mentioned earlier. Taking the |
| the leaves on a tree or even a forest floor with a | | | | time to see is vital when trying to create a great |
| carpet of leaves or acorns. None of these have | | | | image. |