This article illustrates composing photographs with repeating patterns to help create eye flow and balance in an image.

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Many photographers are drawn to the repeating patterns found in nature and those that are human-made. This is certainly the case for me when I’m out with my camera. I love the eye flow that can be created by repeating patterns… as well as the sense of order that can be communicated.

At times repeating patterns only form a portion of a photograph, and are the initial inspiration for an image. Some repeating patterns can be so strong that they are the main focus of a photograph.

Often repeating patterns can be easily identified as well known items or things in nature. At other times a repeating pattern can be unclear as to its nature. It may cause us to wonder what we are actually experiencing with our eyes.

The following is a wide selection of images that I’ve created over the years where a repeating pattern was an integral part of the image. Hopefully some of the photographs will be of interest… perhaps even provide a drop or two of inspiration.

Composing using repeating patterns can help open our eyes to see the world around us differently, and enhance our creativity.

Technical Note

Photographs were captured handheld using camera equipment  noted in the EXIF data. All images were created from RAW files or out-of-camera jpegs using my standard process in post. This is the 1,461 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

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