February 19, 2026
Guest Contributor

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog!

We ordered one of your blankets but had to tell you that the dog in your ad’s picture looks exactly like our rescue boxer/Plott hound mix.

Anthony Silvestro

Story submitted by Anthony Silvestro

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!

Guest Contributor

Photographers are always looking for ways to create visually pleasing images and one of the most effective tools is symmetry and patterns in photography. These elements help bring balance, structure, and rhythm to your compositions, guiding the viewer’s eye and evoking a strong emotional response. In this blog, we’ll explore how to use symmetry and patterns effectively to elevate your photography.

Why Symmetry and Patterns Matter in Photography

Humans are naturally drawn to order. Symmetrical arrangements and repeating patterns offer a sense of calm, beauty, and cohesion. When used intentionally in photography, they can:

• Add structure and clarity to an image
• Emphasize mood through repetition or mirroring
• Highlight differences by breaking the expected rhythm

Pro Tip: Use symmetry and patterns to ground your composition, then look for subtle variations or disruptions that add intrigue.

Exploring Types of Symmetry

To use symmetry well, it helps to understand the types most commonly found in photography:

Reflective (Mirror) Symmetry

This occurs when one side of the image mirrors the other, often seen in reflections on water or symmetrical architecture.

Rotational Symmetry

An image that retains its composition even when rotated (think spiral staircases or radial patterns in nature).

Translational Symmetry

Repetition of shapes or forms in a linear path like rows of windows, trees, or streetlights.

Including symmetry and patterns in photography allows your viewer to settle into the frame and appreciate the underlying structure.

 

Finding Patterns in Everyday Scenes

Patterns don’t have to be perfectly geometric. You can find them in:

• Textures (brick walls, leaves, tiles)
• Urban elements (fences, sidewalks, shadows)
• Natural forms (flower petals, waves, tree branches)

Use your lens to isolate, repeat, or break these patterns.

Pro Tip: Patterns can be powerful on their own, but breaking them deliberately like placing a red door in a row of white ones can be even more impactful.

Composing with Symmetry and Patterns

When working with symmetry and patterns in photography, composition is everything.

• Use central framing for perfect symmetry, especially with architecture or reflections.
• Try leading lines or diagonals to emphasize repeating elements.
• Frame wide to include more of the pattern or crop in tightly for graphic impact.

Symmetry doesn’t always have to be perfect; slight variations can feel more organic and still create a sense of harmony.

Editing for Emphasis

Post-processing can help you refine your use of symmetry and patterns:

• Straighten lines and crop for better alignment
• Boost contrast to make repeated elements stand out
• Use selective sharpening to draw attention to textures and forms

Pro Tip: Convert to black and white if color is distracting from the pattern, this helps the viewer focus purely on form and composition.

Let Repetition Guide Your Eye

Mastering symmetry and patterns in photography is about recognizing the rhythm in your environment and choosing how to highlight or disrupt it. These elements provide structure while allowing room for creativity and emotional depth. Whether you’re drawn to the precision of architecture or the chaos of organic forms, symmetry and patterns can turn the ordinary into the visually extraordinary.

Extended reading: Leading lines: Guiding the viewer’s eye

It’s a situation many photographers can relate to. For a perfect wide-angle shot, there are two lenses on the shelf, both labeled “14mm.” You might think they operate the same, but Fisheye and Rectilinear Lenses behave differently. As you check the prices and lens shapes, you realize there’s a complex world of optics.

In a recent video on Adorama, David Bergman addresses this exact confusion. He compares two popular Canon lenses: the RF 7-14mm f/2.8-3.5 L Fisheye Zoom and the RF 14mm f/1.4 L VCM Rectilinear Prime. It seems Canon is giving photographers plenty of options for wide shots, but as David explains, these two lenses are quite different.

I believe much of the confusion comes from the focal length. When you see 14mm, you might expect a certain type of image, but it’s how light interacts with the sensor that truly shapes the final photo. David explains why these two lenses offer distinct experiences. Additionally, understanding the fundamental differences between Fisheye and Rectilinear Lenses helps clarify this confusion.

The Secret Sauce of Optical Distortion

Before you spend a lot of money on lenses, it’s important to grasp what David refers to as the “basic difference” in how these lenses represent the 3D world. It’s not just about fitting everything in. It’s about how the lens projects that scene onto your flat sensor.

David notes that the Rectilinear 14mm lens keeps straight lines straight. When photographing a building, the walls should appear as walls, without bending. To achieve this, the lens literally stretches the image at the edges.

On the contrary, David points out that the Fisheye lens focuses more on capturing a wide angle than on keeping lines straight. It allows lines to curve, fitting a lot of visual detail into one shot. This creates a particular style that some people love, while others might not enjoy as much.

Why Perspective Distortion is Actually Your Fault

David offers a useful reminder about photography. There’s a difference between optical distortion (which comes from the lens) and perspective distortion (which is about how you position yourself).

Perspective distortion occurs based on your distance from the subject. It doesn’t matter what lens you’re using. Getting too close will make things look odd. If you want to keep images looking natural when using an ultra-wide lens, he recommends keeping your camera perfectly straight with the subject. It’s an easy tip that can really help you avoid that awkward falling over appearance in your architectural photos. Clearly, Fisheye and Rectilinear Lenses can both affect how perspective distortion is perceived in your shots.

The Field of View Face-Off: 14mm vs. 14mm

You might assume that 14mm is always just 14mm, but that’s not the case.

When you look through a Rectilinear 14mm lens, you might notice a few feet of space beyond the wall on either side of your shot. However, when you switch to a Fisheye lens at 14mm, David says you’ll see about 15 extra feet on each side.

It seems like the fisheye is the ultimate lens for capturing everything. At the 7mm end of a fisheye zoom, you get a 190-degree field of view. David highlights that you can even see a bit behind the camera at that angle. This is incredible for capturing immersive concert scenes or tight spaces where you can’t move back any further.

Can You Just “De-Fish” It Later?

I know what you’re thinking. Why not just purchase a fisheye lens for that wide view and then adjust the curves in Lightroom? It seems like an economical option, but David has his doubts about this approach.

While it’s possible to correct the curved lines in an image, David points out some significant drawbacks. When you use software to straighten those lines, you’re stretching the pixels like chewing gum, which can degrade quality.

He also notes that you might notice more noise, especially at the edges, because stretched pixels become thinner. Even if the lines look straight, objects or people in the corners can appear oddly distorted. I’ve tried this before, and the results often resemble a distorted funhouse mirror. If you’re aiming for a clean, professional wide shot, David recommends starting with a rectilinear lens instead.

High-Tech Cheating: AI and Filters

David had some fun testing out AI. He tried using ChatGPT to fix fisheye distortion in photos. While he thinks it does a pretty good job, he notes that it can lower the resolution and alter people’s faces.

We’re not quite at the point where we have an easy fix. David also mentions the “Spherize” filter in Photoshop, which can transform a standard photo into a fisheye look. It’s a neat trick, but he points out that it’s not the same as the real fisheye effect.

David also advises against using AI corrections for news or editorial work. It’s a tricky ethical issue. If you’re a journalist, it’s best to focus on the actual images rather than relying on AI adjustments.

When Should You Use Which?

So, which lens should you take with you? In short, consider whether you want the look created by Fisheye and Rectilinear Lenses before making your choice.

The Rectilinear Prime: Your safe choice. David recommends it for architecture, interior design, landscapes, and astrophotography. If you need precise lines and want a flat horizon, this one is the best option.

The Fisheye Zoom: This lens is for the creatives and thrill-seekers. David believes it excels at capturing immersive scenes, concerts, and unique styles that draw the viewer’s attention right into the middle of the shot.

I completely agree with David about the 14mm Rectilinear VCM being the best everyday lens. It’s reliable for almost all wide-angle shots, so you won’t have to worry about your client complaining about crooked walls.

Ultimately, David believes the decision should reflect your own taste. If you’re into bold, wide shots, the 7-14mm Fisheye may be perfect for you. However, if you seek reliable, high-quality images for landscapes or real estate, the 14mm Rectilinear is your best bet. As you can see, the two choices, Fisheye and Rectilinear Lenses, offer different creative opportunities.

Canon is really stepping up its game with these L-series lenses. Whether you want an extreme perspective or just a clean, sharp image, you have choices. Just don’t rely on software to fix what your lens should already capture.

[Fisheye vs Rectilinear Lenses – Ask David Bergman I Adorama; Image credits: Envato]

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Pet parents must feel extremely happy when their fur babies call them mom and dad. In one such Instagram video, an owner records how her two Bengal cats have different names for her. While one calls her “mom,” another seems to have learned another unique word. The pet mother reveals the details in the caption, which reads, “Mom to one and cow to another.”

In the clip, two felines are seen enjoying spending time with themselves. But they appear to acknowledge the person who is recording them by calling her “mom” and “cow,” respectively. 

One cat calls mom ‘mom,’ and the other calls them a ‘cow’

In an adorable, funny Instagram video, a cat mom shares how her two fur babies call her. It begins with one Bengal cat burning calories as she walks on an exercise wheel. In the middle of the activity, she suddenly calls her mom “mom.” The feline repeats the word more than once and then looks at the pet parent.

Next, the owner records another cat named Prince. He seems to be playing in the multi-level cat tree house when the human captures a funny moment. The feline calls his mom “cow” as he climbs down the house. Meanwhile, the drastic personalities of the owner’s cats in the cat mom video have left viewers laughing.

Although the feline has made meow sounds in different ways, the words seem to be pretty clear. Netizens have expressed their emotions by dropping laughing emojis in the comment section. A user also wrote, “Love their little voices so much.” Another quipped, saying, “He’s a little rude calling you cow all the time.” Many found the two pets’ sounds “adorable.”

One individual also commented, “Both are precious, but I love listening to your cat that says ‘cow!’ So cute.” Many called them “funny” too. Moreover, the cat mom video has garnered over 11K likes at the time of writing.

February 19, 2026
Guest Contributor

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog!

My baby, Tessa, was born on September 22, 2013. She was in Florida, and I was in Texas having heart surgery that same year. September 22 is also my birthday — just like Tessa’s.

Lisa Steacy

When I moved to Florida in 2016, I finally saw her. That’s when she became my service dog, and I discovered we shared the exact same birthday. It felt meant to be.

Because of her, I got out of a wheelchair after being told I would never walk again. She would wake me up at night if my blood sugar dropped too low. She protected me and cared for me in ways no one else could.

Three nights before I had to put her to sleep, she began bringing her stuffed baby to Brandy every night. It was as if she knew she wasn’t going to make it much longer.

What a precious dog Tessa was. We both miss her every single day.

Story submitted by Lisa Steacy

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!

Guest Contributor