Lens-Artists Challenge #359: Tools of Photo Composition: Lines, Colors, and Patterns
How do you make your photos more appealing to viewers? Whether you are a professional or hobbyist photographer, knowing some of the basic tools of photo composition can help you create compelling images. Sometimes, you do that without thinking about those tools. Other people, however, will learn from John’s Lens-Artists Challenge this week, Tools of Photo Composition: Lines, Colors, and Patterns. Check out his post to see his examples with excellent ideas and photos.
How do we apply those concepts to our photos? Any type of lines – leading, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, and curved – can assist in leading the viewer’s eye to a certain point in the photo. In my featured image, the horizontal, vertical, and curved lines guide your eye to examine the end of that bridge near the Southern Walnut Creek Hike & Bike Trail in Austin, Texas. The viewer has no interest outside of that frame. It also helps that the sky is cloudless, exhibiting no distractions. There are repeated patterns in the whole steel structure as well as complementary colors (the blue and rust hues). That is an example of a man-made structure.
In nature, we also find lines keeping a viewer’s attention grounded. Here, the rails and trees assist the viewer in exploring the trail up ahead. Similarly to the featured image, there are also repeating patterns, maybe not as intense as in that photo. The colors also complement one another: cool green tones (most of the image) provide a great contrast with the warm fall leaves on the ground.
Here’s a light fixture in one of Austin’s famous (and arguably haunted) downtown historical hotels, The Driskill. Besides the myriad of lines (leading, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, and curved), we can also obviously see several repeating patterns: squares, stars, circles, diamonds, etc. Also very evident, one can see complementary colors present: blues and yellows, for example.
I find the patterns here can create an optical illusion. Is the circle concave (curving inward to the star) or is it convex (curving outward like a half sphere)?
Although man-made structures can be fascinating when they exhibit one or more of those compositional tools, one cannot deny the beauty of the tools present in nature. I leave you with these two images. Note the lines, patterns, and colors in the damselfly and butterfly.
(Hetaerina americana)
(Papilio glaucus)
These two images were captured this weekend at Berry Springs Park & Preserve. That butterfly species was a first for me. I had photographed other swallowtails, but not the large Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. Its wingspan ranges from 3.1-5.5 inches (7.9-14 cm).
To see more examples for this challenge, be sure to visit John’s post. The comment section will have several replies linked there. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.
Next week, Ann-Christine returns with a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring American Rubyspot, Austin, Berry Springs Park and Preserve, Landscapes, Lens-Artists, Southern Walnut Creek, Texas, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
you nailed it with the bridge, great image. it has it all, patterns and lines and symmetry, The American Rubyspot is gorgeous and well you cannot go wrong with the forest shot
Egidio Leitao
Ritva, that pedestrian bridge is really nice. Thanks for your comments.
solaner
wow, Egidio.
I love especially your first and your third image. Absolutely gorgeous!
btw. I really wonder, why I can’t find your posts in the wordpress reader anymore dispite I’m still subscribed 😮
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, André. WP sometimes creates those glitches. Try to unsubscribe and resubscribe.
SoyBend
Loved the bridge picture, Egidio. Its simple symmetry fills the frame.
Egidio Leitao
It’s a very interesting structure. Thanks.
Leya
Excellent as usual, Egidio! The bridge is a gem ad the creatures lovely!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Ann-Christine. Much gratitude.
philosophy through photography
Egidio, this was such a vibrant visual journey—steel, trails, haunted chandeliers, and fluttering wings all woven with the magic trio: lines, colours, and patterns. Loved how you balanced man-made geometry with nature’s quiet brilliance. And that Swallowtail finale is absolutely poetic! A delightful walk through thoughtful composition.
Thanks for the visual treat.
Egidio Leitao
Philo, your feedback is always so thoughtful and wonderful. Thanks for the kind words.
philosophy through photography
You are welcome, Egidio. And those clicks are so beautiful and perfect captures for this theme
philosophy through photography
You are welcome, Egidio. And those clicks are so beautiful and perfect captures for this theme.
Pepper
Wonderful lines, patterns, and color. I love the boardwalk! 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million.
Albatz Travel Adventures
I love the way you managed to use both the ‘lines’ and the ‘colours’ in thoughtful combinations. Each image is a beauty in its own way.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Elizabeth.
Wind Kisses
I love that you included some wild critters. The detail in what Mother Natures gifts us is astounding. To capture it is a talent. I love the words you included with your steel and sky bridge. You are right. No distractions to take your eye anywhere except the architectural art. And oh, you know I love the trail into the woods. The trickle of light brings such a calm energy to the photo (if that even makes sense)
Egidio Leitao
Donna, thank you for your kind words and feedback. I agree with you about Mother Nature. I’m glad you liked these photos.
Teresa
These are all amazing images Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
That’s so kind of you to write that, Teresa. Thank you.
Tina Schell
Amazing examples Egídio! I loved your opener especially. And your explanations are spot-on. Excellent post as always
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Tina.
restlessjo
Love the hotel patterns, Egidio, and the natural lines of the butterfly. So different and yet equally beautiful xx
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Jo.
Rupali
Excellent selection Egidio. I am afraid I will not be able to participate.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Rupali. The good thing about these challenges is that there will always be others. See you at another time.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, your images are all wonderful examples for the challenge. I really like all the patterns and colors in the hotel light fixture. The Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful example of patterns in nature.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Beth. I had a good time with this challenge.
Rebecca Cuningham
Great to see Austin has retained its beauty: natural and human made. I like the bicycle bridge very much.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Rebecca. I used to ride that bridge often, but I haven’t been there in a while.
Rebecca Cuningham
So many trails have opened up since we left. My bicycle and my feet were my transportation when I studied there.
Joanne
Egidio, I love your images in this post! The Ratcliffe Lake image is my favorite. I love fenced walks in the woods, and this one is perfect! The curve up at the end is a perfect finish. All of your images here are great examples of the compositional tools.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Joanne. I discovered that lake area by accident while visiting a nearby park.
photobyjohnbo
Wonderful examples, Egidio! Your hotel example reminded me that I have a pair of stained glass privacy screens that were left in our condo when the previous owners departed. Their lines, color, and patterns would have been another example I could have used. 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John. This was such a great challenge.
Anne Sandler
Great images showing leading lines Egidio. And wow, that bridge is amazing–so many lines and patterns.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne. That bridge creates interesting patterns.
Tish Farrell
I love the different ways you approached this challenge, Egidio, and especially nature’s compositions 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Tish. I appreciated your feedback.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Beautiful images Egídio, the light in them is truly magical ✨️
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Xenia.
Sofia Alves
Beautiful, Egídio. I love the mood on the Ratcliff Lake one 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sofia. That recreation area was an unexpected discovery while we visited another park.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Splendida scelta di foto!
Egidio Leitao
Grazie.
margaret21
This is a lovely closely-argued post, with splendid visual examples. Unusually fo me, I find your first post the most striking. Though all are great shots.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Margaret. I had to use that as my featured image instead of the nature photos.
margaret21
👍
I. J. Khanewala
Lovely post and great photos. Congratulations on that butterfly lifer
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, I.J. I had seen that butterfly before but was never able to photograph it. Sometimes they are just too fast. This time was different.
norasphotos4u
Wonderful examples!!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Nora.
Writing to Freedom
Gorgeous photos Egidio and great examples for the challenge. I particularly like the first image and of course the dragonfly.
Egidio Leitao
Brad, I’m glad you liked the photos. Thanks for your feedback. Much appreciated.
Writing to Freedom
You’re most welcome. 🙂
bushboy
What fabulous photos Egidio. Love the Dragonfly
Egidio Leitao
Thank you kindly, Brian. That dragonfly was friendly and stayed close by.
Vicki
Lovely examples, but the patterns and colours in the Driskill Hotel image really appeal to my sense of colour and order.
Great shot of the damselfly. You seem top be a good photographer of all subjects. Nature and architecture.
Egidio Leitao
Vicki, thanks for your kindness and wonderful feedback. I think I just photograph anything that appeals to my eye, whether nature or other subjects. Thanks, again.