The Visual Toolbox: 60 Lessons for Stronger Photographs

Lesson 22. Lines: Patterns

One of the tools graphic designers use so well is the repeated element. They create a visual echo and draw greater attention to the shape itself. Patterns are lines or shapes that repeat themselves more than just a couple times, and they’re important as a visual tool because our eyes are drawn to them. We like rhythm, and patterns can create that in a photograph. Because patterns draw our eye, we find them interesting, and that can be reason enough to learn to see them. But rarely is pattern enough to create a compelling photograph. Without something more, our images of patterns aren’t interesting photographs, just photographs of interesting patterns.

Fuji XE-1, 155mm, 1/4000 @ f/4.5, ISO 800These antelope on Kenya’s ...