Symmetry in Photography: Definition, Types, and How to Shoot It

What Is Symmetry in Photography?

Symmetry in photography is when one half of an image mirrors the other across a real or imagined line. That line can run vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, or the reflection can radiate out from a central point. Whatever the axis, the payoff is the same: a balanced, bold frame that grabs attention and holds it.

Symmetry may look hard to pull off, but it is more approachable than it seems, and it is one of the most powerful tools in composition. This guide covers what symmetry is, the types worth knowing, how it differs from a repeating pattern, and the practical steps to shoot it well.

The Three Ways Symmetry Shows Up

In practice, symmetry appears in three broad ways. First come true reflections, where a reflective surface creates the mirror image:

Because they’re both interesting and highly noticeable, true reflections are the most common type of symmetry in photographic compositions. Photographers often gravitate toward reflections in water and in glass windows.

But symmetry also includes situations where two distinct elements appear to be reflections of one another, like this:

Creating such “false” balance requires an eagle eye, but if you can find it, you’ll often come away with a great photo.

Finally, symmetry includes situations where an element is reflected around a single point:

You’ll often find this in macro photography, where flower and plant close-ups emphasize radial reflections around the frame.

Why Does Symmetry Work?

Symmetry makes for stunning photos primarily due to its compositional balancing effect, which causes both sides of the frame to seem equally weighted.

You see, the best compositions tend to be balanced across the vertical axis, which means that the right side of the frame should feel as “heavy” as the left side of the frame. (This refers to the visual weight of the elements rather than any actual weight; it comes down mostly to size and color, where larger, more noticeable items “weigh” more than smaller ones.)

Therefore, vertical symmetry makes for nicely balanced images where both sides of the frame are equally heavy:

From a compositional perspective, horizontal symmetry tends to be less important because we don’t really evaluate weight along the horizontal axis. But it does matter, if only a little, so it pays to think about horizontal balance, too.

By the way, balance isn’t the only reason why it’s a good idea to include symmetry in your photos. It also creates a level of compositional intensity, which makes for very bold results.

Of course, creating intense compositions isn’t always the goal. But when intensity is what you’re after, symmetry is a great technique to try!

Types of Symmetry

Let’s take a more detailed look at the different types of symmetry and where you might find them.

Vertical Symmetry

Vertical symmetry is a reflection across the vertical axis (i.e., the right/left sides of the frame):

As you can see in the image above, the right side perfectly mirrors the left, creating a great sense of balance. If you could master only one type of symmetry, vertical would be the one to pick. It is just that useful.

Reflections across the vertical axis are relatively common in nature – they’re present on most organisms – so it’s an especially useful technique for landscape, macro, and wildlife photographers. For instance, here’s a landscape shot that features a vertical reflection:

The reflection helps the tree stand out and makes for a great composition!

Horizontal Symmetry

Horizontal symmetry is a reflection across the horizontal axis. In other words, your scene should reflect across a horizon-like line.

This is often created through reflections in water. Many stunning landscape photos rely on lake reflections to great effect, but note that you don’t have to work with scenic lakes; you can also find horizontal reflections in puddles, pools, and much more.

Now, horizontal reflections are nice, but they don’t offer the same level of balancing as vertical reflections. However, horizontal symmetry does create a neat effect, plus it creates a very intense result.

Diagonal Symmetry

Diagonal symmetry is rarer than vertical or horizontal symmetry. It refers to reflections across a diagonal in your frame, like the line splitting the sunglasses in two:

It’s pretty difficult to find but does convey an interesting sense of disorientation, so it’s good for images that are designed to communicate tension.

By the way, while you won’t find many diagonal reflections in nature, you can create it yourself by picking a horizontally symmetrical subject, then tilting your camera to create a sloped horizon.

Radial Symmetry

Radial symmetry refers to reflections around a single center point, like the symmetry of bicycle spokes around the center of a wheel:

It’s popular among photographers because it allows you to create powerful abstract shots. Plus, you can find it very easily in nature: in flowers, in starfish, in trees (when photographing them from above), and more.

So while radial symmetry might seem a bit unconventional, you’ll find it all over the place. You just have to look!

Near Symmetry

So far, the focus has been on perfect symmetry, a reflection across an axis or around a point.

But there’s another effect that you should be aware of: near symmetry.

It isn’t true symmetry, but it’s a type of apparent reflection that you can use for great results. For instance, if you have two people standing on one side of the frame, and you have two people standing on the other side of the frame, that’s near symmetry (even though the people aren’t identical!).

It’s not a true reflection. It’s not necessarily even obvious to the viewer that the reflection is there. But each side of the frame will be carefully balanced, which is why it’s worth pursuing.

Symmetry vs. Patterns: What Is the Difference?

Symmetry and patterns are close cousins and often appear together, but they are not the same thing. Symmetry mirrors: one half of the frame reflects the other. A pattern repeats: the same element recurs across the frame, like a row of arches or a grid of windows. A pattern can be symmetrical, and a symmetrical scene can contain patterns, but you can have either one on its own. If repetition is what catches your eye, our guide to patterns in photography is the natural companion to this one.

How Can You Find Symmetry for Your Compositions?

Symmetry is everywhere, but it takes a clever eye to spot. Look for reflective objects such as puddles, ponds, glass windows, and metal car hoods; these work well as long as you frame the composition carefully (see the tips below). Water and glass get the full treatment in our guide to reflection photography.

You can also find symmetry that doesn’t rely on reflective objects – in nature, for example, or even across different parts of the scene, such as when you have one person on the left side of the frame and another person on the right.

Tips for Using the Technique in Your Photos

Now let’s take a look at some quick tips for improving your compositions:

1. Place the Line of Reflection in the Center of Your Photo

Positioning the line of reflection in the center of your photo isn’t always necessary, but it often does work well because it emphasizes the bold, balanced nature of reflective compositions.

So if you have a shot of a mountain with its reflection, instead of positioning the horizon/reflection line toward the top or the bottom of the frame (as the rule of thirds would suggest), try putting it smack dab in the middle of the shot!

And if you’re photographing a radially symmetrical flower, instead of positioning the flower off to one side at a rule of thirds intersection point, go ahead and put the flower in the middle of the frame. The image will turn out beautifully balanced!

2. Fill the Frame with a Reflective Subject

Symmetry makes for some eye-catching effects. But if you want your viewer to really feel its power, then it’s important you keep the reflection highly noticeable within the frame.

That is why tight compositions work best. Use a telephoto lens to get in close, or simply take a few steps forward, so you can fill the frame and drive the reflection home.

3. Position Your Camera Parallel to the Reflection

This technique is a bit tough and it doesn’t always work, but it’s a good one to keep in mind.

You see, when you’re photographing symmetry, you generally don’t want your reflective subject to move away into the distance. Instead, you want the reflection to proceed on the same plane of the composition so that the line of reflection is perfectly parallel to the camera sensor.

The more the reflection “leans” away from the sensor, the less powerful it becomes, and the less interesting your shot becomes, too.

So when you frame up a symmetrical composition, do what you can to keep the line of reflection parallel to your camera. You may need to move to the right or left; you may also need to get high above the subject or down low. That’s how you’ll get a stunning shot!

4. Try It With Your Phone

You do not need a pro camera for symmetry. Phones are ideal because their small sensors and wide lenses keep the whole scene sharp front to back. Get the lens as low and as close to a reflective surface as you can, turn on the gridlines to line up the axis, and tap to lock focus and exposure on the line of reflection. A puddle and a phone held upside down near the ground is one of the easiest ways to come home with a clean mirror shot.

Start Adding Balance to Your Photos!

You now have a full picture of symmetry and how to use it for striking results.

Keep these tips in mind: symmetry is bold, powerful, and often breathtaking. Whenever the opportunity appears, use it.

Symmetry in Photography FAQ

What is symmetry in photography?

Symmetry is a reflection across the image: one half mirrors the other. It can be a subject reflected in water or glass, an object mirrored across a central line, or a naturally symmetrical subject such as an animal or a flower.

Is symmetry the same as a pattern?

No. Symmetry mirrors one half of the frame onto the other, while a pattern repeats the same element across the frame. They often overlap, but a scene can be symmetrical without repeating, or full of pattern without being mirrored.

What are the main types of symmetry?

The four core types are vertical, horizontal, diagonal, and radial symmetry. There is also near symmetry, where the two sides of the frame balance each other without being identical.

Why do photographers use symmetry?

Symmetry creates balanced, stable compositions where both sides of the frame carry equal visual weight. It also produces bold, intense images that hold a viewer’s attention.

How do you find symmetry when shooting?

Look for reflective surfaces such as water, glass, and polished metal, and watch for naturally mirrored subjects in nature and architecture. Then frame carefully, center the line of reflection, and keep the camera parallel to the reflective surface.