Definition
Pattern is repetition in an image and creates a visual “beat” - it can be colours, shapes, tones, lines, or objects. They exist everywhere you look – you just need to learn how to spot them – from cobblestones in a road to veins on a leaf.
You can use patterns to fill the frame, This can help amplify the pattern by removing any distracting objects and creates a more intense image. This can often take away what the actual object is and forces the viewer to think about it more deeply.
They can be large scale (the pattern formed by windows on a building) or small scale (a close up view of a fibres on a cloth) By shooting them from different angles or vantage points you can help accentuate them or make them more interesting. Placing an object within the pattern can help break it up to create a focal point.
Texture is the “feel” of a surface and can be exaggerated depending on how close you are to the subject and the angle you shoot from, shooting from a side angle can create more shadow and emphasise the lumps and bumps on a rough surface, or add reflection on a smooth surface. You can amplify texture by getting closer to the surface or using a zoom, but you need to be mindful of the fact that the closer you get the less light is going to get in so you may need a higher ISO or longer shutter to compensate, and this may cause camera shake.
PATTERN & TEXTURE
Review
The pattern and texture photoshoot was really interesting, in that similarly to the vantage points shoot it gave me aa different perspective on things, looking closely at surfaces can give you a real feel for the subject, giving your images a real “feel”. I found that a lot of these crossed over with the close-up shoot (see page). While looking for the pattern aspect of the shoot you really are spoilt for choice, because when you start looking cat thinks closely patterns exist pretty much everywhere, whereas in the past I always thought I preferred natural patterns I found man made patterns in buildings and structures equally as pleasing. Photos from this shoot came from a variety of sources, outdoors (at the zoo and in the garden) and indoors (at home) this gave me the opportunity to get used to adjusting more manual settings on the camera, speeding up the shutter when outdoors whilst increasing the f/stops, and reducing the shutter speed when indoors to maximise available light.
Edits
