Hunting for Rhythms in Photography

Many great pictures by Nikonians photographers from around the world use rhythm as a key element. It is, among leading lines and the rule of thirds, one of the simplest yet effective ways to create an impressive image.

In this article I would like to focus your attention especially to pattern and rhythm. There are many ways to use both in your photographs simultaneously although they have different functions. I will mention the differences between them first, and then I will show you creative usage examples and mention some simple rules.

You may own the newest Nikon D4s with a lot of equipment or a Nikon Coolpix compact camera, but it doesn’t really matter what type of equipment you use. The basic rules apply to all.

Pattern and rhythm are both very similar design elements because they use repetition to enhance important elements in a picture. Rhythm, as in music, evokes an activity and movement, it grants energy to an image. The repetition of similar elements makes the viewers’ eye focus and leads the attention from one point of the image to another. A pattern on the other hand can be seen as a repetitious texture, it has a something consistent within itself. The form of a pattern indicates that it continues outside of a picture as well and a pattern looks therefore more like wallpaper. A pattern has this two-dimensional look, which lacks movement.

Rhythm and pattern have many similarities. Both depend upon repetition of identical or similar forms, but the main difference is that patterns are more static and they continue outside of the picture frame, a rhythm is a strong element. It is vivid and leads the viewers’ attention.

Another way to describe the difference would be to imagine two large cemeteries. One is a military cemetery, with identical grave markers set exactly the same distance apart, and the other is a private cemetery, with the markers taking all shapes from crosses to statues and standard rectangular headstones. The military cemetery would be an example of a pattern, while the private cemetery shows the elements of a pattern, yet the individuality of each marker serves as that “third dimension” creating a rhythm. In short, patterns are easy to spot and rhythms require a more creative eye.

It is often the case we begin to experience our surrounding when we have time to look around. I shot the picture of the chairs (Picture 2) when I was waiting in a hotel foyer. As the time flew by I started to look for usual and typical things in the environment, as many photographers do when they get bored. I like the stainless metal parts and the equal color tone through in the whole picture. It looks very simple, abstract, rhythmical and soothing.