During 2020 I ran a photography challenge over on my travel blog looking at different techniques throughout the year. I was not expecting that the year itself would prove to be a challenge in that the Covid-19 pandemic hit us and not only put paid to any travel plans, but also altered the way in which we conducted our lives. This year I am going to look at those techniques again using new photographs as and when I get the opportunity.
February was about one of the six visual keys which help to create a great photograph. Patterns can be found everywhere, in nature or man-made constructions. For a photographer, using patterns is key to a good composition. They are made up of repeated objects, geometric shapes or abstract patterns, or colours and they may be random or ordered. Visual patterns in nature are often loose and organic – think of spirals, waves, rock formations, sand.
So over the course of January and February I have been looking for patterns when out and about. The mussels in particular were interesting because when you look at them from afar they are fairly random, but if you get up close you notice that they tend to form circular or spiral clumps.
And if you up the saturation levels a little, they become even more interesting.
If you would like to have a look at the different techniques covered throughout the year then you can see them here. Please note that I am not running this as a challenge, but merely using the old one as inspiration for my photography this year.
Cornwall in Colours 
Patterns of wave ripples always have fascinated me, especially while clear waters ripple and wash the edges of the shore.
Yes. I like to photograph the shoreline too. Often lovely sweeping patterns and foamy edges.
That’s something I love too and I hope it’s not long before I see them again… 🙂
I really like the patterns and the mussels’ colors are amazing.
Well seen patterns, they are everywhere. Fascinating subject
And so many more in plants.
I never thought of mussels making little clumps. Thanks for the close up view.
Beautiful. I love the sea ones particularly.
This one snuck past me! Just spotted the title on the bottom of Sky Painter. You could have a myriad of patterns for this. I can see a number just looking through the patio window.
I could have had more if I’d included plants, or things around me, but I decided not to.
🤣💟
I know. Lacking inspiration at the moment.
HeyJude! I am sure I have been over to your blog before, but hello again anyhow! Love, love your Mussels picture. The colours are glorious. Our mussels are just plain black! Never seen any with that brilliant blue on them and the orange such a brilliant stroke of nature to have a harmonizing secondary colour.
Mussels taste divine so I can taste them in my imagination when I look at the photo. Even though I should be concentrating on the patterns.
You are not running a photography challenge any longer? As someone who still runs a regular challenge which used to centre on photography, but now is a wider spectrum of posts: may I ask why you stopped?