Photography Composition: Manmade repetitions and patterns

This week my photography challenge was to find manmade repetitions and patterns. I had grand plans, as I drove through downtown Houghton and Hancock and noticed all the patterns in the buildings and streets, but I got a bit overly busy.



At first, I considered the lift bridge, which I shot while picking up pizza at Little Caesars last week (the contest is actually open for two weeks, one week overlapping between assignments). I planned to come back for more angles, but never did.

 The pattern made by a picnic area at McClain State Park also caught my eye that day.

Last weekend, my husband and two daughters and I did make it out when we visited Winter Carnival and looked at some beautiful ice sculptures. One, of a cider press and apple orchard (complete with trees, pumpkin patch and tractor, as shown here), was full of manmade repetition. However, I struggled to photograph the white on white on white on gray statues in the low light available!

As I looked back over my pictures, I decided that the best way to show my composition skills would be a close look at the bridge. Since I don't own a telephoto lens, yet, I cropped down my shot. It should have been taken at a lower shutter speed and higher f-stop for more detail, but I do like the tight crop I chose and the repetition of the diamond cross beams and the cords. Here it is:

This coming week's assignment: Composition: Minimalism. We'll see what I can find!