Hello readers.

This time I want to give you a simple photographic project that will help you improve your seeing as well as create some interesting images.

What is Juxtaposition?

In the context of photography, creating Juxtapositional images, means an image with a primary subject matter than can be viewed as contradictory, or assymetric.

An example might be an image of a person entering through a door clearly marked Exit. Or perhaps an image at a peace event where attendees are yelling at each other.

Conveying Intent

Finding the juxtaposition is the first challenge, but where this exercise really comes into its own is ensuring that the viewer understands your intent in making the image.

If we use the peace protest example, while your subjects is the people yelling at each other, you need to include enough other information to convey that this is happening at a peace protest. You want to make it clear and obvious that your subjects are in contradiction or opposite to the context.

Uncomfortable Photographing People?

This is understandable, moreso today due to the existing social climate of division and identity politics. So don’t do that. Here’s another idea.

As it is nearing mid October as I write this, maybe head to a pumpkin patch and photograph a bunch of fresh, firm, orange pumpkins, but place a withered, bashed and rotted one in the group. That is a juxtapositional image.

Wrapping Up

It’s a simple concept, but requires vision, timing and thought to execute well, so go get on it. For readers in Canada, I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving, for those outside of Canada, I wish you peace and health.

Please become a member on Patreon to help support this channel. A big thanks to all the existing Patreon members! Send in comments or questions, I read and respond to all. If you shop with B&H Photo Video, please use the link on the main page as it pays me a small commission and does not cost you anything to do so. Thanks again and we will see each other again soon.