Architecture,  Monochrome Madness,  Photographic techniques,  Themed galleries

Gallery: seeing symmetry in black and white

September 19, 2025 / 61 Comments

The desire for symmetry, for balance, for rhythm in form as well as in sound, is one of the most inveterate of human instincts.

Edith Wharton

It’s hard to say why a symmetrical image is so pleasing to the eye. It seems that our brains are naturally drawn to symmetry, finding it aesthetically pleasing and visually satisfying. Symmetry induces a sense of order, harmony, and perfection.

But why are we attracted to symmetry? Why do we human beings delight in seeing perfectly round planets through the lens of a telescope and six-sided snowflakes on a cold winter day? The answer must be partly psychological. I would claim that symmetry represents order, and we crave order in this strange universe we find ourselves in.

Alan Lightman, American physicist and writer

There are various types of symmetry, but the most obvious is reflective, where a scene is divided into two equal halves, and each half mirrors the other. While this can certainly be found in nature, it is even more prevalent in manmade objects, especially architecture. And that’s what I’ve chosen to focus on for this week’s Monochrome Madness challenge, hosted by Dawn.

Symmetry as a compositional tool

Symmetry is a great way to create visually striking and harmonious compositions. But what of the rule of thirds I hear you ask. How can we aim for symmetry if we’re also advised to follow that rule and place the main focus of our subject at the intersection of those lines?

The answer for me is simple. These ‘rules’ aren’t rules at all, and certainly aren’t all to be followed at once. They are rather tools, offering us a menu of options to consider using to enhance our compositions. Depending on our subject we might choose to utilise symmetry, the rule of thirds, leading lines … or none of these. We can combine multiple ‘rules’ or ignore them all. But having them in our arsenal as guiding principles of ‘what works’ can be so useful. I hope my choice of symmetrical images will demonstrate what that particular compositional tool can bring to our photographs.

In many of them you will no doubt spot a detail or two that mars the perfect symmetry. But that’s OK; it’s the overall effect that matters. Such small departures from perfection can indeed often enhance an image by holding your attention longer.

As always I’ve used Nik Silver Efex Pro to convert what were originally colour images to black and white. My feature photo was taken in Eyarbakki, a small fishing village on the south coast of Iceland. It is the most ‘humble’ of the structures included here, demonstrating that symmetry in architecture doesn’t have to mean grand.

Dome of Qasr Al Watan, the UAE Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi

St Paul’s Cathedral, London

Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, Randazzo, Sicily

Jimi Hendrix tomb and memorial, Greenwood Memorial Park, Renton, near Seattle, Washington State

The unmistakeable Taj Mahal, Agra, India

The Louvre, Paris

Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London

Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, Pyongyang, North Korea

The Sun Temple, Ranakpur, Rajasthan

The Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacan, Mexico

San Francisco de Assisi Mission Church, Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico

The Universidad Catolica in Santiago, Chile

Brooklyn Bridge, New York City

Haw Pha Bang, temple at the Royal Palace, Luang Prabang, Laos

The Chinese All-Community Assembly Hall, Hoi An, Vietnam

61 Comments

Do share your thoughts, I'd love to hear from you! And please include your name in case WP marks you 'anonymous' - thank you