Mastering the Art of Focus: Shaping Perception in Photography and Life
In photography, focusing is the art of directing attention to the subject, capturing it clearly in the frame, and guiding the viewer's gaze. For a photographer, it's one of their tools to influence the viewer's perception and steer their attention.
Focusing requires a skill that can be deployed swiftly and decisively to capture the moment. However, before you focus on a particular subject, you must first focus on the situation in front of you. You must be able to recognize an image that doesn't yet exist and focus on it. Anticipating what might happen is crucial. By doing so, you're focusing on the future and making decisions that will determine the image that eventually comes into the present.
If you, as a photographer, are unable to do this, the viewer will also be unable to see the photographer's interpretation and will form their own interpretation at the moment of viewing. This is, of course, acceptable and even encouraged, but the power of a skilled photographer lies in taking the lead and guiding the viewer on a journey through the photographed image.
In life, it's also important to take the lead. When you set a goal in your life that you want to achieve, you focus on a possible future. You try to envision this possible future clearly. In a way, you are predicting the future, and through this focus, you recognise the opportunities that can only manifest in the present. By maintaining this focus, you influence your own perception. You direct your attention to what you have focused on in the past, with the aim of making that image a reality.
The result of focus, in life and in photography, is a story. A story that is uniquely yours.
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