To stop being overwhelmed with the over stimulation our brains have developed a very neat trick of grouping repeating elements together as one. When we do this we are taking in the pattern and allowing it to become whole. We are able to zoom in (if you like) and pay particular attention to little bits of the pattern and explore it. Another way of describing this is that we are good at sorting for similarity.

We have also developed the ability to sort exceptionally well for difference. We can pick the odd shape, tone, colour, object etc out from a mass of similar ones. This helps us identify dangers and food. We have evolved so that males are better at identifying movement and females better at identifying colour differences. A fascinating thing in itself.

Remember most of these are in the mind, though some are physiological differences.

As humans thought out so many interesting cultures in the world we love decorating with patterns.

So this weeks exercise is to play with patterns. You can search and play with ones that are already created by other people, ones in nature, or ones you create yourself. It is a great opportunity to explore how patterns effect you and your photographs.

See what you can do.

Post three photographs in the Len’s Club Forum that have different patterns, rather than ones created from the same pattern.

https://lensclub.discussion.community/post/ex97-patterns-11284355?pid=1321762171#post1321762171