Symmetry

Last night I typed out quick notes on approaching this week's Lens-Artists Photo Challenge. I did some reading on the three types of symmetry; translation, rotation, reflection, and glide reflection.

Symmetry is "the quality of being made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis" or "correct or pleasing proportion of the parts of a thing".

This afternoon, I was inspired to visit the Princeton University campus, specifically, the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, which is now called the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.

Green Hall | Monday 28 September, 2020 | Day 190 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR | f/11 | ISO 400

In 1963, the psychology and sociology departments were relocated to Green Hall on the corner of Washington St. and William St. The building had been previously occupied by the School of Engineering. In 2013, the Princeton University psychology department moved again to Peretsman-Scully Hall. I parked on William Street, stopping to photograph the Washinton Road entrance to Green Hall. It took a lot of work to position the camera to ensure that the scene was evenly balanced.

Princeton School of Public and International Affairs | Monday 28 September, 2020 | Day 190 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR | f/11 | ISO 400
Princeton School of Public and International Affairs | Monday 28 September, 2020 | Day 190 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR | f/11 | ISO 400
Princeton School of Public and International Affairs | Monday 28 September, 2020 | Day 190 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR | f/11 | ISO 400
Princeton School of Public and International Affairs | Monday 28 September, 2020 | Day 190 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR | f/11 | ISO 200

The Princeton School of Public and International Affairs is a short walk from Green Hall. I'd like you to please read my previous post to learn more about how the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs became the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.

Department of History, Dickinson Hall | Monday 28 September, 2020 | Day 190 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR | f/11 | ISO 200
Department of History, Dickinson Hall, | Monday 28 September, 2020 | Day 190 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR | f/11 | ISO 200

Having photographed what I wanted, I walked around the Princeton University campus, observing other examples of symmetry at the Princeton University Chapel and East Pyne Hall. There are numerous doors to the Chapel, so many that one wonders if they are escape hatches for some purpose.

I looked down the middle between the east and west entrances of Pyne Hall, taking pains to line up the arches to showcase the symmetry. Inside the archway, the ceiling details continue the gothic style of architecture found at the University, one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution.

Princeton University Chapel | Monday 28 September, 2020 | Day 190 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR | f/11 | ISO 200
East Pyne Hall | Monday 28 September, 2020 | Day 190 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR | f/11 | ISO 200

It was submitted for the 100DaysToOffload project.

52 Week Smartphone Challenge: Week 5: Symmetry

📷 Last weekend I was in Ohio at Oberlin College to return Kiran for her second semester of freshman year. The week prior was a blur with the contractors finalising the kitchen project and getting Kiran packed and ready to return. The 52 Week Smartphone Challenge fell off my priority list, and it wasn't until this morning that I could review my images from last week.

The featured image is the only image I have that come close to the week's theme of symmetry. I noticed the Apollo Theatre a few times on previous trips to Oberlin, but this is the first time I had an opportunity to photograph it. I was a very early morning on Super Bowl Sunday, and the town seemed deserted. There was minimal traffic, so I was able to stand in the road to fill my frame. I intended to frame the Apollo between the buildings on either side.

The image isn't as symmetrical as I had hoped. Bhavna wanted to leave and get going back to New Jersey so I was in a bit of a hurry and didn't stand in the right spot.

Submitted for my 52 Week Smartphone Challenge.