Project 28

I have been thinking about this project for some time, I find symmetry fascinating and have always been drawn to subjects that exhibit different symmetries.  Rhythm is a property created by a strong translational symmetry in a subject.  As the project provided scope for the inclusion of multiple images I have taken the liberty to include several examples of symmetry that drew my attention.

My first image is a revisit to the Brandhorst Museum of Modern Art.  The walls of the building are covered in vertical strips of multicoloured ceramics, exhibiting strong rhythm.  I have photographed this many times from multiple viewpoints.  The following photograph was taken to emphasize the rhythm of the wall.  To add some activity and perspective to the image I have included a diagonal formed by the interface between two sets of strips

100-400mm, 400mm, f/5.6, 1/50s, ISO 200

Another source of strong rhythmic patterns are roof tops and tiles.  Many houses in Munich have terracotta roof tiles, their strong orange red colour contrasting beautifully with the blue sky.  I have chosen a very simple composition for this image, deciding where to place the dividing line between the roof and sky was difficult, I preferred more sky than roof, but this is very subjective:

300mm f/4, f/4, 1/800s, ISO 100

My first two choices have been very colourful, the remaining images of architectural detail sacrifice colour for structure.  First two images of one of Munich University's buildings, both from different viewpoints, using very different focal lengths, but both trying to emphasize the symmetry and rhythm of the buildings facade:

100-400mm, 170mm, f/5, 1/800s, ISO 800

TS-E 24mm, f/11, 1/250, ISO 100

The next 2 images are aspects of the Munich court house, a mixture of modern and traditional architecture.  Each side of the building is a construction of steel and glass sitting on stone pillars.  The two photographs explore the rhythm of each component of the structure:

135mm f/2, f/4, 1/500s, ISO 400

135mm f/2, f/4, 1/125s, ISO 200

All of my examples of rhythm are architecturally provided, buildings rarely lack this property even if it is only in the brickwork or window panes.  Pattern, on the other hand was easier to find in natural forms, especially as I wanted to use randomly scattered shapes to avoid creating once again rhythm.  The following 3 photographs all use leaves of varying shapes:

300mm f/4, f/4, 1/640s, ISO 100

300mm f/4 + 1.4x, 420mm, f/8m 1/125s, ISO 400

70-200mm f/2.8, 200mm, f/2.8, 1/125s, ISO 

My last two examples of pattern are man made, the first are chairs leaning against tables at an outdoor cafe just before opening in the morning.

24-105mm, 24mm, f/4, 1/60s, ISO 200

My final example is a detail from the roof of the Munich Greek and Roman Museum, the Glyptothek.  This image conveys both ideas of rhythm and pattern, I struggled to determine which property was most strongly exhibited.  The diamonds are clearly patterns with strong repetition.  The rhythm is present, but partially broken by the changing size and angle of the diamonds

50mm f/1.2, f/1.2, 1/180s, ISO 800