Balance
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Vertical Symmetry: centre the mirror axis

Facades, doorways, anything mirrored. Stand square and centre the axis.

What it is

When a scene mirrors itself left to right, placing that mirror line exactly in the centre turns it into a strong, formal image. Buildings, doorways, bridges and interiors often have this symmetry built in, and the eye enjoys checking one half against the other. The effect depends on precision: a little off centre or a slight tilt looks like a mistake. Standing square to the scene, with the phone upright and level, keeps the two halves matching.

When to use it

A building facade or a church front seen straight on
A doorway, a gate or an archway
A symmetrical interior such as a hall, a staircase or a library aisle

How to shoot it

Stand on the scene's centre line, facing it squarely, with the phone at eye level and upright.
Camera Grid measures how well the scene mirrors itself and draws the symmetry axis with a centre box.
Pan until the scene's own mirror line lands on the axis; the coach says which way. Rolling the phone sideways breaks the mirror and lowers the score.
Zoom to about 1× to 2× to take in the whole shape, and wait for the ring to turn green with a tap.

Common mistakes

Standing a step to one side, which makes one half visibly larger.
Rolling the phone slightly, so the axis leans and the halves stop matching.
Pointing the phone up at a tall building, which makes its sides lean inward.

Questions

How do you take a symmetrical photo?

Find the scene's centre line, stand on it and face the subject squarely. Hold the camera level and upright, and place the line of symmetry exactly in the middle of the frame. Small errors show, so take your time. Camera Grid measures the mirror and scores it live.

Does Vertical Symmetry work with the front camera?

Yes. It is one of the guides Camera Grid offers on the front camera, along with the portrait guides, Dead Centre and Negative Space. A face in front of a symmetrical background can make a striking, formal selfie.