It is all about the light

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Similar shapes in nature leading to similar composition across different subjects

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Alessandra Chaves

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In 2021, when I was engaged with my project “Dry Leaf”, I had the opportunity to have one of my photographs, “Oleander leaf, 2021” featured on an online issue of the Frames Magazine. That made me pretty happy and I wrote a blog post about it.

“Oleander leaf, 2021” also made it into my upcoming duo show with my friend Beth, featuring botanical subjects in black and white and in color.

On May 24, 2025, I went to the UC Berkley Botanical gardens for photography and there I photographed the petal of a Magnolia flower on the ground. When I came home and began post-processing my photos from that day, I realized that the magnolia petal in the FEATURED PHOTOGRAPH (f/11, 1/200 s, ISO 640 at 105 mm) and “Oleander leaf, 2021” not only have a similar shape, but also, that I composed the photograph in a very similar way, making use of a diagonal, and positioning the curled portion of the petal on the top left hand side of the frame.

I think it is interesting and worth sharing that I saw the same shape in distinct botanical parts and plants, almost four years apart, and that I composed my photo in the very same way.

Question to my readers: do you find yourself taking the same photo over and over again even though the location or the subject may differ?

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14 responses to “Similar shapes in nature leading to similar composition across different subjects”

  1. Steve Schwartzman Avatar
    Steve Schwartzman

    Good work, both now and in the previous portrait.

    One response to your question is that we are who we are, by which I mean that each of us has certain inclinations (figuratively, but that happens to work literally here as well) and resonates to certain things. I often find myself going for an approach to a subject that I’ve used before, maybe even decades earlier. That’s why sometimes when I’m photographing a familiar subject I force myself to try something new, even if it doesn’t seem promising. Usually it doesn’t pan out, but once in a while it does.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar
      Alessandra Chaves

      I know what you mean. Sometimes, however, I do forget that I have done something before! I only realize it in retrospect.

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      1. Steve Schwartzman Avatar
        Steve Schwartzman

        Ah, but might it be that what the conscious mind doesn’t remember, the subconscious mind does?

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      2. Alessandra Chaves Avatar
        Alessandra Chaves

        Probably some part of my mind remembers enough to repeat!
        Or is it just the way our brains are wired that keeps repeating the same stuff over and over?
        These are good questions. I don’t know the answer.

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  2. alneyman Avatar
    alneyman

    So interesting Sent from my iPhone(C) 301-351-7264(O) 301-251-1412

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    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar
      Alessandra Chaves

      Thank you!

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  3. tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles Avatar
    tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles

    Amazing composition and editing. Congratulations on the recognition of your excellent work!

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    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar
      Alessandra Chaves

      Thank you. This was a while ago, but did enjoy my moment of fame 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Earl Avatar
    Earl

    I can only speak for myself and there are certain aspects of images that I find more appealing than others. When creating my own work I have caught myself repeating some of the same or similar themes. It would probably say more about us if we didn’t.

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    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar
      Alessandra Chaves

      You have a point. This repetition is part of what people call “style”. There are certainly photographers I know it’s their work when I see their pictures.

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  5. shoreacres Avatar
    shoreacres

    For me, it’s a bit of a twist on your question. I find myself taking photos of the same subject over and over, but looking for different compositions: different ways of seeing. Since I spend almost no time in post-processing, apart from cropping or a touch of sharpening, decisions come at the front end of the process.

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    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar
      Alessandra Chaves

      That is an interesting approach, although it is somewhat repetitious as well. You are focusing on the same subject and trying to find different ways to approach it.
      I while ago I read a book, “Fine Art Flower Photography: Creative technique sand the art of observation” by Tony Sweet that was about sitting with a one subject for a while to find different compositions. It was an interesting read. And you do it naturally.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. howg2211 Avatar
    howg2211

    First, congrats on the show.

    I think composing in shapes and tones, as opposed to what the subject is, really is beneficial for making great compositions (like yours). Back in the day (I generally hate when people say that 😊) when focusing was done on ground glass plates, my understanding is that it greatly helped with composition because the image you were focusing on was inverted and thus really converted to basic shapes and tones visually as opposed to the actual object it was.

    lovely image!

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    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar
      Alessandra Chaves

      It is an interesting observation about the glass plates. I had never thought about it.

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