How to Use Triangles in Photography (3 Types of Triangles in Photography)

Today we are gonna talk about using the triangle composition in our photos. Before I begin my blog about triangles in photography composition, I want to be clear that we are discussing how to incorporate the triangle shape in photography composition. Not the composition theory of golden triangles; I have made a separate tutorial about golden triangles, which can be read here. Ok, now let us come to triangles.

Triangle composition relies on the use of triangular shapes or concepts to create a better image. Triangles can be found everywhere. Signs, architecture, geography, sailboats, food, arrows, aviation, wallpaper, optical illusions, the list goes on. Triangles introduce stability into an image, because it’s a stable shape.

First let me mention the 3 types of triangles that can be visible in a photo:

1. Symmetrical Triangles

Symmetrical triangles are symmetrical, which means that you can divide them in two and each half will appear identical. These make for more static compositions where your subjects are almost identical ie they mirror each other.

2. Scalene Triangles

Scalene triangles have different lengths on all sides. Which means that they don’t include symmetry. Eg here the triangle is there, but it takes the eye on a journey around the frame, rather than just presenting itself in a static way. Hence scalene triangles create more of a visual flow rather than symmetrical triangles.

3. Implied Triangles

Implied triangles aren’t a single specific triangular subject. Instead, they borrow from different elements in an image to form a triangle-like arrangement. An implied triangle is simply a triangle that’s partially complete. Here’s an example of an implied triangle, where the product, the bowl, and the spoon create a loose triangular arrangement.

Here are a few tips for creating beautiful triangle compositions in photography.

1. Use Variation

Triangles are of various shapes and forms. To add variety to your photos, include different triangle sizes, types, and orientations. This will also help you develop an eye for the shape.

2. Seeing Triangles Everywhere

The fun thing about triangles in photography is that once you start to look for them, you start to find them everywhere. You can practice by searching for them in your previous photos or photos clicked by others.

3. Triangles in Still Life

You can directly use triangle shapes in your still life photos or arrange your elements to create a triangular or 3 point visual flow for the viewer’s eye in your photo. Eg Here I have directly arranged my elements to depict a triangle and here I have my elements scattered in a way that it shows me an implied triangle indirectly.