I love a pattern. If you know me and have been browsing this blog a bit you know it. You have most likely spotted this. So some of the images I have previously shared could have been featured today. But we are not repeating that. We want to see repeating patterns in a different way so… Let’s dig deep into the archives.
After looking through my archives for a bit one thing stands out. I see patterns in buildings and for that reason I am just picking these kind of images today.
The header image was creating during one of the Covid walks. It had just snowed in Berlin and everything looked nice. It was quiet. Gloomy. But I decided to grab my camera and head outside. Walking outside was allowed by then and so I made the most of it. I wanted to see further than my neighboring apartment and so I headed towards the river Spree. There were a lot of new office and apartment buildings being constructed near and on the former death strip. And one of these had this – for me – amazing pattern of windows. I was and still am drawn to the angles and the shadow light play here.
photo taken February 9th, 2021 in Berlin near the East Side Gallery
Repeating Butterflies
I remember taking this photo and exploring the area. I was unemployed at the time. I was deep in a depression – I was not aware at the time. I was struggling after being laid off a job with the explanation I wasn’t a team player. It shook me to my core. Being a former volleyball, basketball player. An Event manager. I am still not sure I am over that insult. Anyhow, after six month in a hole I slowly tried to dig myself out and started a week long Indesign workshop at the Community College (Volkshochschule). Next door was an abandoned school that triggered my interest. So one day I brought my camera along and after the course entered the area and explored a bit. This was one of the photos I took. I love the relief of the butterfly. The ugliness of the original structure. The colorful vandalism. It is very close to the core vibe (of one part) of Berlin.
photo taken June 5th, 2013 in Berlin Lichtenberg
Repeating Squares
Well, I can’t really say much about this wall to be honest. It’s part of a wall somewhere on a hospital ground. I remember that I walked to the cantina of the hospital for lunch. My husbands work place is close by a they sometimes went there. He kept talking about it and I said I want to go there too. We must have had a lunch date. I was again unemployed and between jobs. I think back at the time I was doing a coaching which ended in me starting my self-employment.
What I like about this wall is that the appearance changes as soon as you change your viewing spot. The light and shadows from a different picture and the rows are create another pattern.
photo taken September 14th, 2016 in Berlin Mitte
Repeating Tile Patterns
It is not the first time I share an image of the Gardens of the World in Berlin. And it won’t be the last (just check the next one). This is in the Oriental Gardens. I am not entirely sure but I think it’s the floor of a drained fountain. It must be mesmerizing looking at this pattern when water is in and moving around. Definitely not something I want to look at with a migraine.
Obviously the slightly blue color draw my attention here. But also the way the tiles are laid. And then when you look closer you see that each tile is not the same size. I find this so interesting.
photo taken August 23rd, 2014 in Berlin at Gardens of the World
Repeating Stacks
I shared in my Shadows post about my first visit in the Chinese Garden and how my old analog camera didnt cooperate. Back then I took a similar image of the roof tiles of the Chinese tea house. And I was always sad I had nothing to show for. So for years that image occupied my mind until I went back in 2005 after I finished my apprenticeship and had some time off. I took a whole day for a photo trip and explored the entire park with all its different gardens. I have shared images from that trip in on the blog before.
This image is one of my forever favorite images. I took it 20 years ago and you can see my style and my artistic eye already. I still see the world in this way. I have just honed my skill to see these things.
photo taken May 5th, 2005 in Berlin at Gardens of the World
Repeating Triangles
This is a detailed shot of the Musée des Confluences in Lyon. It was the last leg of the Mystery Cruise I worked on as a photographer in summer 2023. Wikipedia says there are 17.000 of these panels that went into the structure. It’s been interesting to look at. And my shape and pattern loving heart had a field day walking a round and taking images.
photo taken July 14th, 2023 in Lyon, France
It’s been fun diving into my archive to unearth some repeating photos. I had some natural repeating patterns in the shortlist but I am keeping them. I may do a post later this year featuring some of the finds. For now you have seen enough,
What is your favorite photo? What relating patterns do you tend to see? Anything you repeatingly photograph? Do you like strolling abandoned buildings?
4 comments
I love these photos, Tobia! I can’t choose a favorite! I think it’s so cool that you take these types of photos – they’re works of art. I seem to just take photos of scenery, my pets, and flowers. I’m always drawn to flowers.
Oh flowers are great. I have photos of that too.
I guess if I’d lived in your area I would take much more photos to is of landscapes too. It’s just what’s available and where I grew my n photography eye it seems.
But thank you. I am happy to hear they are artistic to you.
Hi, thank you for this fascinating post.
I find comfort in patterns and symmetry (weird). I most like the Lyon structure and wondered what kind of support, architecturally, does a structure like that need?…
I always photograph my kids. They are my most favorite subject. Also- trees, sky, clouds. Myself. Book pages.
Patterns and symmetry – yes definitely comforting. Like everything followed some predominanted path.
That’s a favorite subject to haven for sure.
I like trees too. Not so much clouds but I can see the appeal.