I found some in my archives, that’s a good sign. My did I have look hard for these images, and still not totally satisfied, but this is not that serious, even though I trend to take seriously. This week Egidio of Through Brazilian Eyes, challenges us to show how we use rectangles in our photographs and how they help our composition.
Shape in photography is a powerful tool for creating compelling images. By incorporating strong lines, curves, and other shapes into a composition, we can add depth and dimension to our photographs, I have learned. We recognize the four basic shapes: circles, triangles, squares, and rectangles. Each of these shapes can be used to create a variety of different effects in your photographs. Circles are often used to create a feeling of harmony and balance, while triangles can add a sense of movement and drama. Squares and rectangles can help to create a sense of structure and order. AND this is what I am trying to show how I have unintentionally found it in my compositions.
The placement of shapes in a photograph can also have a significant impact on the overall composition. Placing shapes near the edges of the frame can help to create a feeling of tension, while placing them more centrally can create a feeling of balance.
Rectangles are used mostly as frames within a frame, but you also can use them as compositional elements by themselves. Rectangles may give you a sense of security, as well as confinement. Furthermore, when you use many of them in one composition, like the one below, you can create a sense of pattern, which might make your composition even more interesting.
I find cities and interiors to be the best place to find shapes, but someone else has already designed it, I just document it my own way.
Industrial and modern built – the best, No?
This time I stayed mostly in urban areas, but I had to find some in nature.
Thanks you all for your responses to my challenge last week, this is such a fun community. I always find new ways to look at things and see images from around the world. Your images did just that, gave food for thought
Next week, Tina is up next with an exciting challenge, so be sure to look for her post. She is always creative and her photos are always worth a look, as they are so beautifully, skillfully captured. You are bound to be inspired.
As those who follow her know, Lens-Artists team member Donna of Wind Kisses is taking a break from blogging for personal reasons. She will be very much missed but, hopefully be with us again before too long. We wish Donna and her family only the best, as our thoughts are with all of them.
Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 
Thanks for sharing this idea with so many images. Anita
Thank you!
A very comprehensive post, Ritva, with some great images!
Thanks Sue!
I agree with Sue about your post being very comprehensive. I could go on and dissect each image’s impact to my eyes. These are brilliant, Ritva. I’ll highlight a couple that really moved me beyond my expectations. Let’s start with the Vancouver street. That is magnificent how you used a simple light post to create your rectangles and make the composition very strong. The Monte Carlo casino and the coffee house window are two other superb examples where rectangles add so much to tell the story you’re telling us. The industrial and modern set is also another great example of rectangular placement. The steel structure in the museum photo grounds the viewers’ eyes on the architectural structure, not to mention the yellow car against the stark gray. Your images are so impressive, and they are a joy to look at.
you are way too kind with your praise. thank you Egídio 🙂
Glorious work Ritva, loved all of your choices for the week!
Thank you Tina
Great great photos Riva. Very well done.
Ritva, of course. Fast fingers, they never touch the keys.
No worries, thanks John!
Wonderful photos!
Thank you Nora
Great rectangles Ritva! My favorite are the stairs at the casino. So many rectangles.
Thank you Anne
You demonstate so well how the rectangle can be the photographer’s friend.
Thanks, I did really had to have a good think about it
You’ve found some great examples in your archives, Ritva! I like the concept of a rectangle within a rectangle.
Thanks, I took the lead from Egidio
An excellent summary of the impact different shapes can have in photography and equally excellent examples of rectangles. In a great gallery a few stood out for me – the coffeehouse window, the B&W art appreciation shot and the egg seller in Goa 🙂
Thanks B&W appeal to you 🙂 This style works well in BNW images
Gorgeous, Ritva. I cannot pick favourites here, they are all excellent examples of how to use rectangles…But, maybe the coffee house window stands out to me, I had to look at it several times. The light and shadows.
Beautiful. Among these there are some standouts: the egg man, the casino at Monte Carlo, …
The Salmon Bay Bridge is a wonderful photograph: a very busy and cluttered area tamed by the composition.
A great selection of images, Ritva, and your narrative moves me to think even more about composition, especially these lines: “Placing shapes near the edges of the frame can help to create a feeling of tension, while placing them more centrally can create a feeling of balance.” When I take photos, I might (emphasis on the word might) be considering tension and balance, but I’m often not aware of it. Now I will be more mindful so thank you very much for that 🙂
Marie, I am happy you gained something from your visit , Thanks 🙂 much appreciated
Absolutely brilliant, Ritva. There’s one that stand out for me, the monochrome window. They are all awesome photos but that one is phenomenal.