This is the fourth part in a series of tips looking at the “rules” of photographic composition.

While these “rules” are by no means exhaustive or compulsory, learning how to use them will help make your images more aesthetically pleasing and help you move from taking “snapshots” to more professional-looking photographs.

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In direct contradiction to one of our earlier “rules”, The Rule of Thirds, sometimes centralising your subject can have the greatest impact.

We’ve talked about how placing visual interest off-centre creates a more balanced composition, but this time we’re going to look at another source of image balance: Symmetry.

Symmetry is balance on either side of an imaginary line, this line is often referred to as the plane of symmetry. A mirror image is an example of perfect symmetry when displayed next to the original.

Symmetry comes with a health warning – it can seem “boring”, dull and unnatural.

However (used with thought and care) this kind of image can have great impact, highlighting unexpected geometry in nature, making a scene abstract or showing off the unnaturalness of a formal garden.

For greatest effect, the plane of symmetry must be centred in the image – any slight deviation will be instantly noticeable and jarring.

Suitable subjects can be architectural, a reflection of landscape in still water, leaf patterns or completely abstract.

Have a go and post a link to your photographs using Symmetry in our comments. Most of all, have fun!