What are some tips for creating dynamic compositions with lines, shapes, and patterns?

1 Use leading lines

Leading lines are lines that guide the viewer's eye towards a focal point or a direction in the image. They can be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curved, or converging. You can use leading lines to create a sense of depth, perspective, movement, or symmetry in your architectural photos. For example, you can use the edges of a building, a staircase, a bridge, or a road to create leading lines that draw attention to the main subject or the vanishing point. You can also use leading lines to frame your subject or to create contrast with other elements in the scene.

2 Emphasize shapes

Shapes are the forms and outlines of objects in the image. They can be geometric, such as squares, circles, triangles, or rectangles, or organic, such as curves, waves, or blobs. You can use shapes to create a sense of balance, harmony, rhythm, or tension in your architectural photos. For example, you can use shapes to highlight the architectural style, the mood, or the function of the building. You can also use shapes to create repetition, variation, or contrast with other elements in the scene.

3 Play with patterns

Patterns are the repeated arrangements of shapes, colors, textures, or lights in the image. They can be regular, such as grids, stripes, or checkerboards, or irregular, such as cracks, splashes, or swirls. You can use patterns to create a sense of order, chaos, complexity, or simplicity in your architectural photos. For example, you can use patterns to emphasize the structure, the detail, or the scale of the building. You can also use patterns to create rhythm, movement, or contrast with other elements in the scene.

4 Experiment with angles

Angles are the positions and orientations of the camera in relation to the subject. They can be high, low, straight, tilted, or skewed. You can use angles to create a sense of drama, perspective, distortion, or dynamism in your architectural photos. For example, you can use angles to show the height, the depth, or the shape of the building. You can also use angles to create interest, surprise, or tension with other elements in the scene.

5 Adjust the lighting

Lighting is the amount and quality of light that illuminates the subject and the scene. It can be natural, such as sunlight, moonlight, or firelight, or artificial, such as flash, lamp, or neon light. You can use lighting to create a sense of mood, atmosphere, texture, or color in your architectural photos. For example, you can use lighting to show the time of day, the weather, or the season of the building. You can also use lighting to create shadows, highlights, or contrast with other elements in the scene.

6 Review the composition

Composition is the arrangement and placement of the elements in the image. It can be based on rules, such as the rule of thirds, the golden ratio, or the diagonal method, or on intuition, such as the visual weight, the balance, or the negative space. You can use composition to create a sense of unity, coherence, clarity, or focus in your architectural photos. For example, you can use composition to show the relationship, the hierarchy, or the message of the building. You can also use composition to create harmony, tension, or contrast with other elements in the scene.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?