Pixiq

When you photograph a symmetrical subject, it’s very important that the camera be positioned dead-center to the subject.  If you are just one or two feet off from this central point, the picture will appear to be skewed.  When you are shooting a macro subject such as a symmetrical orchid, if you are just an inch off from dead center, the results will not be perfect.

 In addition, make sure that the center point in the viewfinder is placed in the center of the subject.  Doing this underscores the symmetry of the subject or scene.  Not doing this will always leave you with the feeling that there is something wrong with the picture but you can’t quite put your finger on the problem.

 With photos of architecture, standing slightly off-center means that the horizontal lines of the structure will not be parallel with the frame.  They will appear oblique and that doesn’t look right.  It is perfectly fine to stand significantly off to the side and shoot from a creative angle, but it’s never a good idea to shoot from a position that is slightly off-center.  Note in the photo of the stunning B'hai Temple in New Delhi that I stood precisely at the center point of the reflection pool.

I did the same thing when I photographed two costumed participants in Venice, Italy, below left.  I aligned both models so they stood precisely on either side of the distant arch.  By comparison, when I photographed a model lit by the morning sun, I stood significantly off-center.  This is fine.  However, when you are photographing symmetry and the camera position is almost dead-center but not quite, the picture will not be correct.